Wallabies winger Max Jorgensen says the squad are eager to keep testing themselves against the best as their brutal start to the year continues.
Fresh from a 2-1 series defeat to the British & Irish Lions, the Wallabies are travelling to South Africa to face the world number one Springboks to kick off the Rugby Championship.
It’s their first multi-game trip to the region since 2010 and the first time Jorgensen will play in South Africa, having made his debut against the Springboks in Perth.
“It's who you want to play against..You really want to play against those high-tier nations with strong players, strong teams, because it really challenges you as a team and as a player personally,” Jorgensen told the media on the challenge.
“I've never been to South Africa, so I'm pretty excited to get over there and see what it's all about.
“I've played against them [in] my debut. They're a physical team, they're big, they're strong and they're fast, so we've got a big challenge ahead of us.”
The Wallabies head with renewed confidence after last week’s win but a clear understanding of where they stand.
“We've got to stick to the process for sure We're still building, we're still a work in progress,” Jorgensen notes.
“We’re not perfect. We take our learnings from last game so we've got to keep building into that and building into South Africa and all through the Rugby Championship.”
Jorgensen was one of the breakout stars of the Lions tour, scoring two spectacular tries in the first and third Tests to announce himself to the world.
“It's been pretty hectic recently but to play against the Lions is obviously a dream come true and it's going to be a memory I cherish forever,” he added.
The Wallabies have added a host of fresh faces, including Jorgensen’s Waratahs teammate Tane Edmed, along with Reds trio Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Flook and Josh Nasser.
“It's good to see those boys get a shot again,” Jorgensen said. Obviously, unfortunate to have some injuries, but it gives all these other boys a chance to put on the gold jersey and show what they're made of.
“They'll bring so much energy, I'm really excited for it.”
