Max Jorgensen to Undergo Ankle Surgery Ahead of British and Irish Lions Tour
NSW Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen faces an extended recovery after sustaining a syndesmosis injury.
Max Jorgensen, the promising 20-year-old fullback for the NSW Waratahs, is set to undergo surgery on his injured ankle, which has ruled him out for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The injury comes as a significant setback for Jorgensen as he aspires to join the Wallabies squad for their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, commencing on July 19 in Brisbane.
Jorgensen has previously dealt with medical setbacks, including a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury and a broken leg sustained during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which hindered his Test debut.
In a recent match against the Hurricanes, Jorgensen's ankle was trapped under opposing player Brayden Iose, causing the injury during a hip-drop tackle—a technique banned in the National Rugby League (NRL), but permissible in rugby.
Following scans, the extent of Jorgensen's syndesmosis injury was confirmed, leading to NSW’s announcement on Monday that he will undergo surgery.
Waratahs' coach Dan McKellar has indicated that Jorgensen is expected to be sidelined for approximately six to eight weeks.
With nine weeks remaining in the regular season, the Waratahs, currently fifth in the standings, will have a bye in round 11. Their next match will see them travel to Auckland to face Moana Pasifika, a team that recently surprised the Crusaders with a notable victory.
In addition to Jorgensen, the Waratahs will also be without playmaker Lawson Creighton, who suffered a head injury in the same match against the Hurricanes.
The team is already contending with injuries to key players, including captain and Wallabies scrum-half Jake Gordon, who is recovering from a medial ligament injury, and former Test hooker Dave Porecki, who is sidelined due to a calf injury.
Lock Ben Grant, reflecting on Jorgensen’s impact, noted that the team feels for him, as he has been a consistent performer during the Waratahs' strong start to the season with a record of 4-2. Grant remarked on the disappointment felt by the entire squad following their heavy 57-12 defeat to the Hurricanes, emphasizing the need for resilience as they prepare to face a physically dominant Moana Pasifika team.
The Waratahs’ coaching staff and players are aware of the challenges they face in overcoming their injury list while also recalibrating their performance following their recent defeat.
The injury comes as a significant setback for Jorgensen as he aspires to join the Wallabies squad for their three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, commencing on July 19 in Brisbane.
Jorgensen has previously dealt with medical setbacks, including a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury and a broken leg sustained during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which hindered his Test debut.
In a recent match against the Hurricanes, Jorgensen's ankle was trapped under opposing player Brayden Iose, causing the injury during a hip-drop tackle—a technique banned in the National Rugby League (NRL), but permissible in rugby.
Following scans, the extent of Jorgensen's syndesmosis injury was confirmed, leading to NSW’s announcement on Monday that he will undergo surgery.
Waratahs' coach Dan McKellar has indicated that Jorgensen is expected to be sidelined for approximately six to eight weeks.
With nine weeks remaining in the regular season, the Waratahs, currently fifth in the standings, will have a bye in round 11. Their next match will see them travel to Auckland to face Moana Pasifika, a team that recently surprised the Crusaders with a notable victory.
In addition to Jorgensen, the Waratahs will also be without playmaker Lawson Creighton, who suffered a head injury in the same match against the Hurricanes.
The team is already contending with injuries to key players, including captain and Wallabies scrum-half Jake Gordon, who is recovering from a medial ligament injury, and former Test hooker Dave Porecki, who is sidelined due to a calf injury.
Lock Ben Grant, reflecting on Jorgensen’s impact, noted that the team feels for him, as he has been a consistent performer during the Waratahs' strong start to the season with a record of 4-2. Grant remarked on the disappointment felt by the entire squad following their heavy 57-12 defeat to the Hurricanes, emphasizing the need for resilience as they prepare to face a physically dominant Moana Pasifika team.
The Waratahs’ coaching staff and players are aware of the challenges they face in overcoming their injury list while also recalibrating their performance following their recent defeat.
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