The Waratahs were always on a winner with the arrival of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, but what the rebuilding Super Rugby outfit might not have anticipated was the flow on affect it would have on those around him.
Of course, better players generally make for better teams. Yet, the Waratahs, who are 3-0 to start the 2025 campaign after finishing last in 2024, have barely had Suaalii run out for them in a blue jersey after being grounded by a toe injury and are the only unbeaten side in this year’s campaign.
But even a grounded Suaalii has allowed others to grow.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has featured in just one match for the Waratahs but his presence is making a difference. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
At least that’s the opinion of Max Jorgensen, who for two years was considered Australian rugby’s next great hope after being signed as a schoolboy and starring on debut as an 18-year-old, but now believes he’s found it easier to find his groove now that he’s playing second fiddle in the public’s eyes.
“It helps not being in that spotlight,” said Jorgensen, fresh from scoring a first-half double against the Western Force on Saturday night.
“When you go through some rough patches, it definitely helps when the spotlight’s not on you so much. It was always at the back of my head, so I didn’t think it (media pressure) affected me too much.
“Joey’s been amazing for our group – he’s got a toe injury at the moment. Hopefully, he’s back in the next couple of weeks.”
It’s easy to see why operating in the shadows has helped.
After all, it was only four months that Jorgensen dived his way Australian rugby folklore when he sprinted down the left-hand touchline at Twickenham and sunk England on their home turf.
But while Jorgensen got the camera shot every parent would want to hang on their walls, everyone at home and abroad wanted a slice of Suaalii after his extraordinary Test debut.
That theme has continued over the summer months, with Suaalii’s cross-code move the talk of the town.
All the while, Jorgensen has steadily built his confidence on and off the field, with the teenage sensation now very much growing as an adult.
“I definitely feel like I’ve come a long way in two years,” he said.
“I’ve learned so much along the way from obviously all the older boys, coaches.
“I look back at some of those games I played and I just look so inexperienced, and I feel so much more confident, just learning off those older players and coaches.”
Max Jorgensen scored twice against the Western Force at Allianz Stadium on March 8, 2025. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Jorgensen’s development on the field hasn’t been lost on those around him.
First-year Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, a known hard taskmaster who treats everyone the same regardless of their reputation and status, showered the outside back in praise following their 34-10 win in Sydney on Saturday.
“He’s just starting to find his feet,” McKellar said.
“Even physically, he’s filled out now, the boy’s become a man and he’s just starting to feel like he belongs at this level. He was a Super Rugby player, and then five minutes later he was a Test player at a World Cup and had to deal with a couple of injuries along the way.”
Capable of also playing at fullback, Jorgensen said he had spoken to McKellar about his preferred position but was “happy” playing wherever was best suited for the team.
“As long as I’m in the team and playing, I’m happy,” Jorgensen said.
“We look at it as a sort of three fullbacks, two wingers and the fullback is the way we play, so there’s a lot of moving, swinging around.
“The wing is always in the back field as well, so it’s not too different of a position and that’s how we play our games.”
On the evidence of Saturday’s convincing win over the Force, it’s not like Jorgensen is being restricted to one side of the field either having moved from the right wing to the left to help put Darby Lancaster away in one of the Waratahs’ best attacking movements of the season.
“It doesn’t really matter who’s where (on the field), it’s just as long as we’re working together,” he said.
Having got the better of Wallabies teammate Dylan Pietsch on Saturday, Jorgensen will get the chance to further push his Test credentials when he likely squares up against another rising talent in Tim Ryan and Filipo Daugunu in Brisbane.
Suaalii is expected to once again be sidelined for the third straight match.
