Max Jorgensen released from Wallabies squad amid ongoing illness

Tue, Sep 24, 2024, 10:15 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Wallabies host the All Blacks in Round 5 of The Rugby Championship in an afternoon Test at Accor Stadium.

Wallabies young gun Max Jorgensen has been released from camp as he deals with an ongoing illness.

Jorgensen did not feature in the Bledisloe Cup as a result following making his starting debut against Argentina.

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The squad confirmed the 20-year-old has returned to Australia to continue his recovery.

In his place, fellow Waratah Darby Lancaster has been called up after flying over to Wellington at the start of the week.

"Max Jorgensen hasn't fully recovered from the illness he picked up in Argentina and has returned to Australia," the statement read.

"Darby Lancaster has joined the squad as the group continues to prepare for the second Bledisloe Test."

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt alluded to the damaging effects the 'bug' was having on camp last week as they started their Bledisloe Cup preparations.

"There was a bit of a bug but nothing that affected the whole team, there were just individuals who got a little bit knocked around by it and everyone’s back on deck now,” Schmidt said last Thursday.

“There was still a little bit of a lapse for a couple of guys at the start of this week who are not involved but they’re all back 100 per cent now, so some of them who aren’t involved this week may well be involved next week.”

Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch filled the void left by Jorgensen and was eager to push Marika Koroibete for a starting spot on the weekend, with Schmidt set to name his side on Thursday.

"I'd always love to start," Pietsch said.

"We gotta respect what (Koroibete) done in the past and what he does every week ... I'm more than happy to start but I understand that Marika is there and is one of the best

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