“My passion is rugby,” says Jorgensen, declining the Roosters to pursue his Wallabies dream.

The highly sought-after young player Max Jorgensen declined a possible transfer to the NRL team and extended his contract with Rugby Australia for a further two years after telling Roosters coach Trent Robinson that his “heart is in rugby union.”

After months of cross-code rumors, Jorgensen decided to pursue his Wallabies dream and resigned with the Waratahs and RA on Tuesday.

The contract will give the 19-year-old a chance to play against the British and Irish Lions next year, but in an intriguing twist, Jorgensen and RA settled on a deal that means he will come off contract again before the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. The 15-cap Waratah became the hottest property in Sydney footy over the past few months, with the Roosters and other NRL clubs expressing interest in the talented fullback.

In contrast to rumors that he had received a huge offer from the Roosters, Jorgensen stated he had met with Robinson and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to talk about his future. However, he had not actually discussed a deal and had never given serious thought to switching to rugby league the next season.

Jorgensen stated, “I didn’t really explore it too much, but the Roosters were interested.” “I won’t dispute that I spoke with ‘Robbo,’ since we have a positive relationship. However, I told him that rugby union is my passion and that I want to play the sport. I never really looked into it, then. I was merely speaking with Rugby Australia more.

“I think I just always wanted to stay in union,” Jorgensen answered when asked if he had ever chosen between the codes. The World Cup and the British and Irish Lions are two major events that you wish to pursue in your career for the next three years.

“I want to do a lot of things in union. One of my main goals is to play for the Wallabies, as I haven’t done so yet. I also want to do well with the Tahs and perhaps reach some finals there. They are the primary items.

“It feels great to have the contract finalized after more than a month of negotiations.”

As many anticipate, if Jorgensen reaches his enormous potential, the contract front won’t be quiet for long. Although Jorgensen stated that he “definitely” wants to compete in the 2027 World Cup, the Roosters will continue to watch him because they see him as a possible replacement for seasoned fullback James Tedesco.

“I told him that I want to play rugby union because it’s my passion.”

As a junior representative rugby league player for Balmain, Jorgensen was courted by Phil Gould and Robinson during his last year at St Joseph’s College.

However, via his on-field success, Jorgensen will also be able to raise the value of his two-year contract with financially challenged Rugby Australia. By 2027, the organization hopes to be in a considerably better financial position.

Signing a two-year contract was simply the smartest move I could have made at this point in my career. Nothing significant about it, according to Jorgensen. For now, it was just appropriate to go with a two-year contract. We’ll have to wait and see.

The Roosters are undoubtedly a fantastic team. They are among Australia’s top NRL clubs. I played a preseason game for the Chooks and had a great time. Robbo is an amazing coach. Simply put, it was more about everything I still wanted to do in union.

Eddie Jones picked the teenaged Jorgensen for the Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup despite the fact that he had an injury while playing for the Waratahs in Super Rugby last year.

He fractured his ankle during training and returned home, just in time for his Test debut in France. His decision to stick with rugby was influenced by the sensation of being so close yet so far away.

“I want to keep crossing those goals off—there’s a little unfinished business there,” Jorgensen remarked.

“My main objective is to win a Super Rugby final with the Waratahs. And naturally, put on a Wallabies jersey for the very first time—something I have wanted to do since I was a young child.

According to Jorgensen, he had a conversation with Schmidt about his future plans.

Joe and I spoke with each other. “I would love to hopefully work with him; he seems like an awesome guy and will be really good for the Wallabies and Rugby Australia,” the man stated.

Lalakai Foketi, meantime, has been added to the Waratahs bench following his recovery from a frightening neck injury sustained during training that required emergency hospitalization five weeks prior.

After a terrible run of knee problems, Will Harrison was also chosen to start on the bench against the Rebels on Friday night. Harrison will be playing in his first Super Rugby match in 707 days.

Chris Whitaker, the backs coach for the Waratahs, remarked, “They both received a big cheer in the team meeting when the team was announced.”

“The boys are glad to see Lalakai back, as they were scared when they saw him hauled away in an ambulance. He is a great asset to our back line, and the youngsters like playing with him.

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