Get ready for a thrilling chapter in Australian rugby! Rugby Australia has just secured a massive win with a five-year, multimillion-dollar deal for rising star Max Jorgensen. But here's where it gets controversial... Jorgensen, a young talent with an impressive resume, has chosen to stay with Rugby Australia, despite interest from other leagues and competitions.
This move is a significant coup for the governing body, as Jorgensen becomes one of the few players to sign such a long-term contract in Australian rugby. Only a select few, including Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and winger Lote Tuqiri, have previously committed for five years.
The deal, set to be officially announced soon, will keep Jorgensen with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs until 2031. And here's an interesting twist: the contract includes two seasons where Jorgensen can take a sabbatical overseas, a unique clause that adds an exciting dimension to his career path.
Rugby Australia's CEO, Phil Waugh, has praised Jorgensen as a "generational talent," and the organization has worked tirelessly to keep him. Sources reveal that Jorgensen's earnings will exceed $900,000 per season, with the potential to reach over $1 million annually.
The Sydney Roosters, who have tried to sign Jorgensen twice before, were once again keen to bring him to their club. Additionally, the rebel rugby competition, R360, had also shown strong interest before its postponement until 2028.
Jorgensen's journey began with the Waratahs in 2023, when he made his debut as an 18-year-old. A broken leg unfortunately prevented him from making his Test debut in the 2023 World Cup, but he bounced back, earning his first Wallabies cap in 2024. Since then, Jorgensen has become a standout performer, scoring memorable tries in high-profile matches, including the Lions Tests and against top teams like the Springboks and France.
And this is the part most people miss... Wallabies teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii seemed to drop a hint about Jorgensen's deal during a media day. When asked about the possibility of the Roosters poaching his teammate, Suaalii confidently stated, "Max is here for a bit." He went on to praise Jorgensen's skills and impact on the team, calling him a "superstar" who continues to improve.
While Jorgensen remains committed to rugby, Suaalii believes the recent flow of talent from the NRL to union may increase. He cites the example of Angus Crichton, another former schoolboy rugby star who recently made the switch.
"Every time I spoke to Angus, he always said he loved rugby. It's a pleasure for him to come across. I think everyone's very excited," Suaalii shared.
Suaalii believes that the presence and influence of players like Crichton and Jorgensen will create a positive ripple effect, inspiring more NRL players to consider a move to union.
"You can feel the buzz around the group, from the boys," he added.
The stream of NRL players moving to union may be gradual, but it has certainly sparked lively debates online and on talkback radio. Along with Suaalii and Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Carter Gordon have also returned to rugby, with Zac Lomax considering a similar move.
These movements are largely attributed to Australia hosting the Rugby World Cup next year and the fact that most of these players have rugby backgrounds. However, it's worth noting that many young NRL players grew up playing both codes, so the potential for further cross-code transfers is there.
When asked if his and Crichton's switch could prompt other league players to follow suit, Suaalii responded, "Yes, you could say that. I feel like you see one person do it, the possibility comes."
He cited examples of high-profile players like Israel Folau, Wendell Sailor, and Karmichael Hunt who made the cross-code transition, inspiring others to consider the same path.
"I feel like that's been a key factor for a lot of young kids coming through, and even older players as well, saying, why not, I can do it as well," he added.
Suaalii praised Crichton as a great leader and one of the toughest players he's played with. He believes Crichton's transition to rugby will be successful, recommending that he follow a similar path to Suaalii's by going on the spring tour at the end of the year.
"For myself, I feel like you want to get thrown into the deep water straight away; I feel like that's where you either sink or swim. For myself, I feel like it was a great thing for me to learn the game straight away," Suaalii explained.
As the Waratahs prepare for their opening trial against Queensland, the team's coach, Dan McKellar, has named a squad dominated by players who have completed the entire pre-season. Suaalii, along with four other Wallabies players, will not be considered for this match. In contrast, the Reds have named a squad featuring 12 Wallabies, including captain Fraser McReight.
So, what do you think? Will the recent cross-code transfers continue to shape the future of Australian rugby? Is this a positive development for the sport? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
