Max Jorgensen’s primary focus is helping the Waratahs beat the Crusaders on Friday for the first time in Christchurch in 22 years.
Beyond that, he wants to be in the first Wallabies team to contest the Nations Championship in July, starting with a clash against Ireland in Sydney.
But like so many Australian rugby fans of late, Jorgensen has allowed himself a moment to ponder the prospect of what a Wallabies back line could look like in 2027 at a home World Cup.
It is, to say the least, going to be absolutely stacked. A Rolls-Royce back line humming with talent that, from No.11 to No.15, could match any in the world.
“It’s very cool,” Jorgensen says. “It drives you that little bit more to do well. Hopefully we can reach the [World Cup] finals and get the win.”
Halfback and five-eighth remain up for debate, but outside a potential pairing of Jake Gordon and Carter Gordon (not related), the options tantalising and with a real rugby league flavour.
It’s already starting to become a pub conversation among casual fans, who know the Wallabies’ 2025 record of 10 losses from 15 matches needs improving.
Rugby Australia has made no secret of its recruitment drive before the 2027 World Cup, and the stars may be aligning — much like they did when Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers crossed codes before the 2003 tournament.
Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Zac Lomax, Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase are already household names. The prospect of them all combining — alongside incumbents — is enough to excite even the most hardened sceptic.
Three of the five are already in Australian rugby – Jorgensen, Suaalii and Lomax (Western Force). Crichton is set to arrive next year, linking with Jorgensen and Suaalii at the Waratahs, while Nawaqanitawase, already an 11-Test Wallaby, will return in the second half of 2027 after making some yen in Japan with the Panasonic Wild Knights.
Crichton and Nawaqanitawase will line up for the Roosters in Saturday’s blockbuster Anzac Day clash against St George Illawarra, but rugby fans are quietly chuffed knowing they’ll all but certainly be in a gold jersey next year.
Jorgensen, speaking before Friday night’s clash in New Zealand, was effusive in his praise of Lomax after his starting debut for the Force last week.
“He’s a hell of an athlete,” Jorgensen said of Lomax. “There was no way he wasn’t going to be good coming over to rugby. It’s very cool to see him come over and do what he does. It’s a pretty cool opportunity for him learn the game and dig into this Force season and Wallabies if he gets the chance.”
The intrigue lies in how all the players will fill into positions. Jorgensen, on the wing for the Waratahs, could mount a case to play at fullback after a brilliant start to the Super Rugby season with some the fanciest footwork in the competition.
He’s happy to let incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss, who takes over from Joe Schmidt in August, decide how to shuffle the deck.
Suaalii has moved between the wing, fullback and No.13, while Angus Crichton has earmarked as an inside-centre in rugby. Lomax was excellent on the right wing against the Crusaders but could also morph into an outside-centre if required.
Nawaqanitawase has dabbled as a fullback in rugby but has made his name as a try-scoring machine on the wing for the Roosters. With enough time and space, Jorgensen says they could do some serious damage.
“Mark is like Lomax. They’re just freakish athletes,” Jorgensen said. “Mark’s obviously done it in rugby, so we know what to expect from him [as he comes back]. He’s only getting better in league too with the Roosters. Some of his finishes and the way he composes himself is so impressive.
“To have him and Angus come over [from the Roosters] is really cool. It just adds so much competition for places in the Wallabies. We know Angus going to be bloody good. I’m pretty happy he’s coming to the Tahs and not going anywhere else.”
Then there is Len Ikitau, last year’s John Eales Medallist, who almost picks himself, while Tom Wright will also mount a strong case at fullback. If either of those two get picked, and everyone else is fit, one of the big five are likely to miss out.
If there is one player RA would love to see flourish, it is Suaalii, given his $1.6 million-a-season price tag and an injury-interrupted start to his rugby career, having made 27 appearances from a possible 41 for the Wallabies and Waratahs.
“The main thing I take from Joseph is just how professional he is,” Jorgensen said. “Just the way he looks after his body and looks after his mind is really impressive. Then there’s obviously the things people see – like his athleticism and the fact he’s an absolute freak on the field.”
There’s a long way to go before a World Cup that could define a generation of Australian stars. Injuries will bite – they always do – and it would be optimistic to expect every headline name to be available for the whole tournament.
But keep the core of them together, find a forward pack willing to do the heavy lifting, and the Wallabies might not be laughing stocks like they were in 2023.
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Tom Decent is the chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
