Schoolboys sensation Max Jorgensen will get first crack at replacing Kurtley Beale as the Waratahs fullback after being named to start against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Jorgensen, who graduated from Sydney’s St Joseph’s College last year, was fast tracked into the Australia A squad just one day after turning down NRL advances and signing with NSW.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman had planned to use Beale as his first choice fullback this season before the Wallabies veteran was charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Bondi last year.
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Jorgensen will join Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo and former sevens star Dylan Pietsch in the back three for the opening trial game of the season in Griffith.
The Waratahs and Brumbies also square off in Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific opener at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on February 24.
“I watched him play a lot of school footy, there’s always a question mark about how they go against men in the early stages, but he’s taken to it like a duck to water,” Coleman said of Jorgensen last month.
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“He’s a special talent. He’ll have a good season this year, but more importantly have a great career. He came in at 81kg, we’ve got him at 86kg now, he’s not overly tall, and will only play at 92kg or 93kg once he stops filling out.
“He’s more than just a runner, he’s got great game sense, skills with both hands, he kicks… he’ll play a bit of wing early while he learns, and the plan was for Kurtley to mentor him early. Looking at him, naturally he’s a fullback.”
With Wallabies coach Eddie Jones watching on, Ben Donaldson will get first crack in the sky blue No.10 jersey, with Tane Edmed interestingly starting the match at inside centre.
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The Waratahs said Donaldson would also spend time at fullback, and Edmed at five-eighth, as they mix and match their combinations.
“After 13 solid training weeks, the staff and players are super excited to finally play some rugby,” Coleman said.
“I feel we’re in a different stage of our development than this trial last year, we’ve had a lot more time together and boys have greater clarity in how we want to play.
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“These trials are a great opportunity to reward the boys who have worked hard through the pre-season, get them some game time, and allow them to compete for round one spots.
“The Brumbies as always will be a stern test and a great way to kick off our run of pre-season fixtures.”
Wallabies Michael Hooper, Jake Gordon, Jed Holloway, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Harry Johnson-Holmes were not considered for the first trial.
WARATAHS (15-1): Max Jorgensen, Nemani Nadolo, Harry Wilson, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Harrison Goddard, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Lachie Swinton, Taleni Seu, Ned Hanigan, Archer Holz, Mahe Vailanu, Te Tera Faulkner
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