Nawaqanitawase, a former NSW teammate of Jorgensen, was a stunning success in his first NRL season this year, topping the try-scorers’ table and being selected in the Kangaroos squad for the end-of-season tour of the UK. His impact has only strengthened belief at the Roosters that Jorgensen would be a similar hit in the NRL, according to informed sources.
Max Jorgensen dives over to score a try during the third Test against the British and Irish Lions.Credit: Getty Images
Speaking in 2024, after Jorgensen re-signed with RA and the Waratahs, Robinson hinted the Roosters would be back and to pursue him well ahead of the contract expiring in 2026.
“I’ve known him since he was a kid; [I’m] great mates with his dad. We had him training here a while ago,” Robinson said.
“The door is always open for Jorgo at some point. There’s no pressure there. When that time comes we’ll need to speak probably a fair while in advance to get that organised knowing how good he’s going to be.”
Jorgensen has also never hidden his admiration for the Roosters. He said in 2024: “Obviously, the Roosters are an amazing club. They’re one of the best NRL clubs in Australia. I did a pre-season with the Chooks and really enjoyed my time there. I love Robbo as a coach. It was just more about all the stuff I still want to do in union.”
The threat of R360 is also a factor for Rugby Australia, given the competition is currently on a signing blitz ahead of an October start next year, and Jorgensen is managed by Clinton Schifcofske, an agent with multiple NRL clients linked to the breakaway competition, including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax and Jye Gray.
Max Jorgensen scores against the Lions in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images
Still at the start of his career, the chances of Jorgensen signing up to the opaque R360 are slim, however, and particularly after RA, in concert with most other national unions, said they would not pick players for Test rugby from the breakaway competition.
The 2027 World Cup is a trump card for RA in retaining Jorgensen, who said in 2024: “There are three big years coming up with the British and Irish Lions and the World Cup, and they are massive things you want to do in your career.”
Loading
Whether they can lock Jorgensen down for the long term with a five-year deal remains to be seen.
His popularity among kids has not escaped RA, which made him one of the faces of the “Get into Rugby” entry-level community program. In a recent interview with Inside Line on Stan Sport, RA boss Phil Waugh said while they would maintain fiscal responsibility, they’d also get “creative” with retaining Jorgensen.
“Clearly Max is a generational talent in what we’re seeing throughout the early stages of his Test career,” Waugh said.