It's hard to believe Max Jorgensen just celebrated his 21st birthday in Townsville this week - given the highlights he's already produced in Wallaby gold.
The 13-cap flyer has turned heads all around the rugby world these past 12 months, headlined by tries against England, Ireland, South Africa and the British & Irish Lions.
Get your tickets to see the Wallabies take on Argentina in Townsville and Sydney!
“Sometimes I've got to pinch myself,” Jorgensen said to reporters.
“It's gone pretty quick to be honest. It feels like I was at school yesterday, but it's been an unreal journey. I've loved every minute of it and [I’m] still building as a player and learning from all these boys here, which has been unreal.”
Learning has been a key part of Jorgensen's modus operandi after facing a baptism of fire on debut against the Springboks in Perth last year
Several tough days were to follow, including the Wallabies’ infamous 67-27 loss to Los Pumas in Sante Fe - still the highest number of Test points ever conceded by Australia.
However, recent history suggests this Australian side will be vastly different to the one trounced by 40 points almost exactly this time last year.
“We've been watching a lot of film from that game and I think we're a very different team now to what we were a year ago,” Jorgensen explained.
“Looking back at some of those clips, we talked about that's not us and that's not how we play, but ultimately we started that game really well. I think we were 15-0 up and then after 30 minutes we lost it.
“I think the big change for us is that we're turning more into an 80-minute team now. When you look back at some of those games, we were only in it for about 40 minutes or so and sort of lost it there.
“We've developed so much as a squad and as a team since then, so we're ready to go this weekend.
“No one really likes losing games by that much in that state, especially when we were up by 15. It was definitely a turning point for the boys. We know we had to really dig deep and turn things around so that wouldn't happen again.”
Jorgensen credits a strong culture being built by the players and staff as a major factor in the turnaround, and with consistency now showing, backs his side to produce results against a strong Argentina.
“We know they're a threat,” Jorgensen said.
“We've looked at them play against New Zealand and they want some ball back in the air but it's ultimately doing what we're doing and it'll work out for us.
“I think it's doing what we're doing. We've been pretty good in the air against South Africa. We've got some ball back off that.
“I think a lot of it comes down to building our connection and combinations. It's been a very similar squad now for a year or so ever since Joe [Schmidt] came in.
“I think that's the credit to this group and the coaching staff. We've come a long way, we're building that connection, which is a massive part of our game and it helps us when we're on the field because it really makes you want to play for each other and go out there and do everything for each other.”
Jorgensen also backs the squad to cover several injury losses in the backline, with himself, Andrew Kellaway and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii all able to slot into the fullback hole left by Tom Wright’s injury.
“I'm still learning a lot,” Jorgensen said when asked about his preferred position.
“I've got a lot to grow in my game still and it's good to have all those older boys here always teaching me and helping me out.
“I've played my fair share of full back at clubland, at the Tahs. There's a lot of boys in the squad who can play fullback.
“You've got your Kells who played pretty much the whole game of South Africa at fullback. You've got a lot of other players, Potts [Harry Potter], players like that.
“[Suaalii is] back up and running now. [He] did some return-to-contact stuff yesterday, but he's ready to go.
“Ultimately, it's up to the coaches and Joe, so we'll see what happens.”
