The Sydney Roosters have denied offering rugby starlet Max Jorgensen a lucrative deal to switch to the NRL but remain interested in recruiting the 19-year-old talent in the future.
According to News Corp, the Roosters were reportedly preparing a two-year deal worth $1.8 million, while Rugby Australia was set to offer a $1 million deal over two years.
The report did not specify the years for which the Roosters’ offer would apply.
Jorgensen, a rising star with the Tahs who has played only 14 Super Rugby matches so far, is currently off contract at the end of the season. He has expressed his desire to face the British and Irish Lions next year.
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“We haven’t extended an offer to him,” stated Roosters chairman Nick Politis to the Sydney Morning Herald.
However, Politis and Roosters coach Trent Robinson have met with Jorginson, whose father Pete was a former Roosters and Panthers player and Wallabies representative.
“I’ve known him since he was a kid,” Robinson said, as reported by News Corp. “I’m great mates with his dad. We had him training here a while ago.
“There’s always a door open for that at some point but that hasn’t been discussed from the last time we tried to sign him.
“The door is always open for Jorgo at some point. There’s no pressure there. When that time comes, we’ll need to speak probably a fair while in advance to get that organized knowing how good he’s going to be.”
The Roosters have already secured Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase on a two-year deal starting in 2025.
Meanwhile, Joey Manu has reportedly agreed to join the Japanese rugby team Toyota Verblitz, turning down offers from French clubs. This decision is a significant boost to the Roosters’ efforts to bring him back to the NRL.
The 27-year-old will play under the director of rugby, Steve Hansen, a legendary Kiwi coach who led the All Blacks to victory at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Hansen played a pivotal role in Sonny Bill Williams’ transition to rugby, helping the NRL star win the Rugby World Cup twice.
The Japanese League One season runs from December to May, which means Manu could potentially return midway through an NRL season. Manu has expressed a desire for a multi-year rugby deal to give him the best opportunity to succeed in the new code.
News Corp reports that the Roosters are optimistic about Manu’s return to the club, with a potential return in the middle of the 2026 season if Manu’s Japanese contract lasts for two seasons.
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