Wallabies’ flyer Max Jorgensen has pinpointed the result that was the watershed moment in Australia’s resurgence in international rugby.
The 13-cap winger 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.
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.”
The 21-year-old admitted the his rise to stardom in the gold jersey has been meteoric.
“Sometimes I’ve got to pinch myself,” he added.
“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.”
The Wallabies host Argentina in Queensland in Round 3 of the Rugby Championship on Saturday, the first of two against the Los Pumas Down Under.
“We know they’re a threat,” Jorgensen continued.
“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.”
