Max Jorgensen's ankle surgery ends Waratahs season

NSW Waratahs fullback Max Jorgensen is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury that requires surgery.

The 20-year-old was injured early in the Waratahs' heavy defeat to the Hurricanes, when his left ankle was caught awkwardly in a tackle and twisted beneath an opposition player.

The young star has been diagnosed with a syndesmosis injury and will undergo surgery to repair the damage.

The recovery timeline is expected to be up to eight weeks, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season, which has nine weeks remaining in the regular schedule.

Jorgensen's absence is a major blow for the Waratahs, who have already endured a difficult season and now face added disruption in their backline.

His speed, creativity, and composure under the high ball have made him one of the standout performers in Australian rugby, and his unavailability leaves a significant gap for the Sydney-based outfit.

His injury is the latest in a growing list for the team, with key players like captain Jake Gordon sidelined by a medial ligament injury and Lawson Creighton also ruled out following a head knock.

The Waratahs must now regroup ahead of their next fixture against Moana Pasifika, with coaching staff scrambling to reshuffle their lineup.

Beyond Super Rugby, Jorgensen’s injury also casts doubt over his potential involvement in the Wallabies’ highly anticipated three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions beginning in July.

Although the timeline for his return theoretically leaves room for a comeback, his lack of match fitness and a history of previous injuries—including a broken leg that kept him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup—makes selection unlikely.

Jorgensen has already earned seven caps for Australia and was part of the squad during the recent Six Nations campaign.