By Jon Geddes

WHEN Max Jorgensen hobbled from the field injured in Randwick’s 20-19  loss to Northern Suburbs in their grand final rematch on Saturday at North Sydney Oval, it was a big blow for the champion young fullback, the Galloping Greens and the embattled NSW Waratahs.

“I think I’ve done my hammy,” a clearly disappointed Jorgensen told Rugby News on the sideline after the game. “I don’t know how bad, but it is not too good.

“I went through a hole, tried to accelerate and felt it go.

“I’m hoping for the best and get scans hopefully pretty soon next week.”

The 19-year-old did not play in the Waratahs’ record 41-12 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday night after being “rotated” out of the side and instead made his debut for Randwick where his father Peter started his distinguished senior career in both rugby and rugby league.

Jorgensen junior was injured three minutes into the second half after making in incisive dart and it was devastating to see the talented back assisted from the field by a Randwick trainer.      

BRUISING RECEPTION

WHILE on the field Jorgensen showed what a tough competitor he is, copping some big hits from Norths’ defenders and bouncing straight back to his feet.

At the time he was hurt, Jorgensen looked set to make a real impact on proceedings.

Randwick coach Stephen Hoiles summed up the injury-situation succinctly.

“It’s a shame because hopefully he was either going to be back with the Tahs next week or get a few weeks of club rugby with his mates,” Hoiles said.

TALENTED NEW FACES  

NORTHS victory after what was a grandstand finish showed the steely resolve coach Zak Beer has instilled into his squad despite a spate of early season injuries, which has seen half a dozen regular starters sidelined.

Their defensive effort against the reigning premiers was particularly impressive.  Warhorse backrower Gary Bautz was a standout in the tough forward exchanges.

“We’ve got a real focus on what is the next job, regardless of who’s in and who’s out,”  Beer said.

“I think inside the tent we know what sort of adversity we’ve been under this first five weeks.

“I’m immensely proud of the playing group and the guys who have stepped into those roles to deliver a real Norths’ performance. I got a lot of questions about those players – people hadn’t heard about them before – but they certainly know who they are now.”        

And Norths were prepared for the pressure that Randwick would inevitably apply.

“They are a good side, they are well organised, well coached and they are stacked with talent,” Beer said.

“To have one of the best players in the world (Jorgensen) come back and play for you at a Shute Shield level is pretty good.

“We knew they would throw everything and the kitchen sink at us and we were ready.”

TITANIC BATTLE

THE result ended up coming down to a matter of centimetres when a difficult conversion attempt, from the sideline in the heavy conditions, by Randwick No.10 Andrew Deegan with his side trailing 20-19  hit the crossbar and missed.

“We knew it was going to be a hard game, it was tight,” Hoiles said.

And he delivered some home truths to his players in the dressing room after the game.

“I said to them Deegan’s  kick at the end hits the crossbar and we lose by a point,” he said.

“I wonder how they would have been feeling if that kick went over, they probably would have thought they played really well and had a great comeback.

“But the reality is we didn’t play that well.

“They (Norths) were good and it was as good old tussle and probably everything you expected.

“You hate losing, it sucks, but we found a way to get back in it.

“It’s still early on, we’ve got a lot to improve on.”