The Waratahs secured a convincing 31-13 victory against the Fijian Drua on a sweltering evening, once again showcasing the brilliance of Max Jorgensen. The match saw an early struggle for NSW, marred by poor ball handling, although Charlie Gamble stood out, scoring the first try after just ten minutes.
The Drua found their rhythm amidst the frantic pace of the game, with Taniela Rukuro crossing the line for a try, followed by a conversion and a penalty from five-eighth Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. As the first half progressed, the Waratahs faced mounting pressure, trailing 12-10 to a determined Drua side eager for an upset in Sydney.
However, as the half approached its conclusion, Jorgensen turned the tide. With only four minutes remaining in the first half, he showcased his extraordinary skill by deftly evading Rukuro and outpacing fullback Ilaisa Droasese to score, reigniting the Waratahs’ ambitions.
After halftime, Waratahs’ coach Dan McKellar made a pivotal move by rotating his bench, which proved beneficial as the team’s fresh legs overwhelmed the Drua. Debut hooker Ioane Moananu contributed significantly, scoring two tries, while second-rower Angus Blyth also made his mark with a try from the bench.
The match culminated with Jorgensen sealing his impressive performance by scoring his second try in the final thirty seconds, bringing his tally to four tries across the last two games. This victory not only boosts the Waratahs’ confidence moving forward but also highlights the emerging talent of Jorgensen, whose impact on the game continues to grow.
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