Wallabies debutant Max Jorgensen says it was a dream come true as he ran out onto Optus Stadium for his maiden Test appearance.
The 19-year-old followed in dad Peter's footsteps as he came on in the 47th minute during Australia's 30-12 defeat to South Africa.
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The result failed to dull the teenager's excitement as he reflected on the whirlwind experience after the match.
“Shattered about the defeat but feeling pretty good after the debut...It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of, the atmosphere was amazing,” Jorgensen said to reporters.
“It was an amazing atmosphere, especially in that weather, I’m amazed that many people came out, it was pissing down but it was unreal.”
It had been over three months since Jorgensen took the field after dealing with a hamstring injury picked up during his brief return to Shute Shield.
But the 19-year-old showed why he is one of the most hyped teenagers in World Rugby and he was up for the occasion less than ten minutes into his stint.
Jorgensen called for the cross-field kick from inside his 22 and sprinted past Makazole Mapimpi, before his chip kick was just too late.
It was a brief glimpse of his talent but just reward for the Waratah after a tough run with injuries that has seen him feature in three separate Wallabies camps before his debut.
“To fall short last year at the World Cup was obviously devastating but to get my shot and finally put on the green and gold feels amazing, it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“To play against a team like South Africa, probably the best team in the world at the moment is pretty nerve-racking, but it was good to be out there.
"...It’s obviously been a while since I played footy, it’s been 14 weeks, but to get out there, it came on me quick, I don’t think I was supposed to get on that early.
“Obviously with Hunter [Paisami] going down, that got rid of the nerves, just getting on and making that first tackle, I felt [I was] in the game straight away.”
