Another moment of magic from Max Jorgensen powered the NSW Waratahs to a 36–13 victory over the Fijian Drua, preserving their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby Pacific season on Friday night.
For the second week running, Jorgensen brought Allianz Stadium to life. Trailing 10–7 four minutes before halftime, the Waratahs turned to their young star — and he delivered in breathtaking fashion.
With little space to work with, flyhalf Lawson Creighton fired a daring triple cut-out pass to the Wallabies winger. From there, it was all Jorgensen. The 21-year-old wrong-footed Drua defender Taniela Rakuro with a wicked sidestep before burning past fullback Ilaisa Droasese to score in the left corner.
That try swung the contest decisively. The Waratahs were never headed again, surging clear to make it two bonus-point wins from two matches and lifting Dan McKellar’s side to the top of the ladder.
Jorgensen was unlucky not to have had a second before the break, denied by the TMO after a forward-pass call ruled out what looked like a 30-metre dash under the posts.
Justice arrived at the death. In the final play of another man-of-the-match performance, Jorgensen pounced on a perfectly weighted grubber from Jack Debreczeni to dot down, sparking celebrations among the largely pro-Waratahs crowd of 13,578.
“It’s pretty hard to beat the home crowd,” Jorgensen told Stan Sport. “The support is unreal. They really push you through the full 80 minutes.”
While Jorgensen claimed the headlines, the foundations were laid up front. No.8 Pete Samu and back-rower Clem Halaholo were relentless in contact, while replacement hooker Ioane Moananu made an instant impact, scoring twice on debut after switching from the defending champion Crusaders.
Flanker Charlie Gamble and replacement lock Angus Blyth also crossed as the Waratahs pulled away convincingly in the second half.
The Drua, meanwhile, remain winless after two rounds, following last week’s surprise home defeat to Moana Pasifika — a sharp contrast to the flying start enjoyed by the men in sky blue.
NSW Waratahs 36 (Tries: Gamble, Jorgensen 2, Moananu 2, Blyth; Cons: Creighton) def Fijian Drua 13 (Tries: Rakuro; Cons: Armstrong-Ravula; Pens: Armstrong-Ravula 2)
Waratahs: 15 James Hendren, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (captain), 3 Dan Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Triston Reilly
Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Ponipate Loganimasi, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre,12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Taniela Rakuro, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (co-captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Inia Tabuavou, 23 Manasa Mataele
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley
TMO: Brett Cronan
English