At that pre-World Cup gathering last month in Darwin, Jorgensen jumped into a tank surrounded by crocodiles.<\/p>\n
Facing crocodiles is one thing, but maiden Test at a World Cup?<\/p>\n
In 2019, Graham Henry was asked about potential World Cup debutants and how they\u2019d be feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be shitting themselves, quite frankly,\u201d said the former All Blacks coach.<\/p>\n
Petaia has been in Jorgensen\u2019s position and is well-equipped to offer an insight into life as the next big thing in Australian rugby.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Max Jorgensen during a Wallabies training session in Saint-Etienne. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Four years ago, at the World Cup in Japan, Petaia was the bolter of the Wallabies squad.<\/p>\n Against Uruguay, Petaia became the youngest player to represent the Wallabies at a Rugby World Cup \u2013 at 19 years, six months and 21 days \u2013 and dazzled on debut with a try in a win.<\/p>\n After a maiden game on the left wing, Petaia earned a start on the right edge in the next fixture against Georgia, who are Australia\u2019s first-up opponents this week in Paris.<\/p>\n But Petaia\u2019s selection at No.13 for the quarter-final against England was undoubtedly coach Michael Cheika\u2019s boldest call of the entire World Cup.<\/p>\n Jordan Petaia scores a try against Uruguay in 2019. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n The Wallabies lost the knockout match 40-16 against an England team coached by Jones.<\/p>\n Now, Jones is pulling the strings as boss of the Wallabies. His selections across five Tests this year show he is not afraid to make calls outside the norm.<\/p>\n Andrew Kellaway is Australia\u2019s incumbent fullback but all will be revealed late on Thursday night, Australian time, when Jones announces his starting XV.<\/p>\n Petaia, a young man of few words, has some simple advice for Jorgensen, who turned 19 on Saturday and will become the youngest Wallaby at a World Cup if he gets on the field in France.<\/p>\n Jordan Petaia has played 28 Tests for the Wallabies since debuting in 2019. <\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cI hope he does [debut],\u201d Petaia said. \u201cI\u2019d just say take it full throttle and don\u2019t hold back. Enjoy it.<\/p>\n \u201cMax is an unreal player. He is elusive and a quick learner. He gets along well with the boys and it\u2019s easy for him to gel in and mix with the boys. He\u2019s a good player.<\/p>\n \u201cComing off the back of an injury \u2026 [I have] been giving him a little bit of guidance there. He\u2019s been smashing it. He doesn\u2019t need too much help. Just lending a hand where I can help.\u201d<\/p>\n Petaia has been rotated throughout the Wallabies backline and there has been plenty of debate around whether he is best utilised as a winger, fullback or outside-centre.<\/p>\n Jones has settled on the latter, picking Petaia at No.13 for both Tests against New Zealand and then the warm-up fixture against France.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old says he\u2019s a different player to four years ago and won\u2019t be overawed by the pressure.<\/p>\n The pain of a quarter-final loss in Oita still stings.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel a lot more comfortable coming into this World Cup,\u201d Petaia said. \u201cThat finals series was the biggest learning point from that last World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cLosing like that \u2026 was pretty tough considering you have to wait another four years. Many of the boys have said a lot of guys don\u2019t get opportunities. You never know. It may be your last opportunity. It\u2019s [about] making the most of it when it comes.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a few boys from the last World Cup as well [who] remember that sour taste.\u201d<\/p>\n Petaia, like his teammates, is singing from the same hymn sheet before an important opening clash at Stade de France.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re here to win it [the World Cup],\u201d Petaia said. \u201cWe\u2019re not shying away from that challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve spoken about it as a group, that every match is do-or-die. You can\u2019t afford to drop too many games.<\/p>\n \u201cEddie has probably been to the most World Cups of anyone, so he speaks about savouring and enjoying the experience and making the most out of the Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch all the action from <\/b>Rugby World Cup 2023<\/b> on the Home of Rugby, <\/b>Stan Sport<\/b>. Every match ad-free, live and on demand in 4K UHD from September 9.<\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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