MAGIC TO THE MAX<\/strong><\/p>\n There's been a few out and out stars in Australia who were playing Super Rugby as teenagers. James O'Connor<\/a>, Kurtley Beale<\/a>, Jordy Petaia even Michael Hooper<\/a>.<\/p>\n While each of them went terrific as kids, it's hard to recall an individual performance as impressive as that of Max Jorgensen on Saturday<\/a>. The 18-year-old Balmain junior played a significant role in all four NSW tries and seemingly covered every blade of grass at Allianz.<\/p>\n Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n He wore a number of shots from the brutal Fijian defence and kept bouncing up. He threw himself into dark places in defence as well.<\/p>\n It was about as complete a performance as you'd get from anyone, let alone a kid who doesn't turn 19 until the first week of the World Cup.<\/p>\n The effort secured 'Jorgo Jnr' the much coveted and very rare 'POSTY FEATURE', where the entire Between Two Posts crew select the same player as best of the round.<\/p>\n For more on the rise and background of Aussie rugby's next big thing, read this from SMH go-to Iain Payten<\/a>.<\/p>\n READY FOR TAKE-OFF<\/strong><\/p>\n Staying with the Waratahs back three, Mark Nawaqanitawase was at his electrifying best in Sydney as well.<\/p>\n Only a youngster himself at 22 years of age, 'Marky Mark' helped create a special piece of play down the short side before scoring the resulting try himself.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Nine lands 2024 Paris Paralympic Games deal<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Shocking Hardwick call exposes AFL 'crisis'<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Ikin finally lifts lid on messy Broncos breakdown<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Nawaqitawase qualifies for both Fiji AND Italy through his parents but has thankfully re-signed with Rugby Australia for a few more years.<\/p>\n Whilst he's fast becoming a household name, it wasn't always the case.<\/p>\n When I asked him pre-season about the different attempts to pronounce his surname over the years, one stood out in particular: "I was going OK at a schoolboy tournament and the ground announcer eventually kinda gave up and just went with Mark NaQANTAS."<\/p>\n SO LONG SHAN<\/strong><\/p>\n Wallaroos and Aussie 7s great Shannon Parry waved goodbye to a stunning career with victory over Fiji at Allianz<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the close, Parry had played in four World Cups, was an Olympic Gold medallist, a World Series champion, a World Series Dream Team member and Wallaroos captain.<\/p>\n Speaking to BTP last week, Parry simply said this of her legacy.<\/p>\n "If I've inspired just one young girl to wear the gold headgear and play rugby, then I'll be happy."<\/p>\n She's done that and a whole lot more and hopefully we see her continue on as a coach.<\/p>\n At the other end of their career is Wallaroos squad member Caitlyn Halse who shared a terrific interview with Stan Sports Sera Naiqama in the pre-game show.<\/p>\n When asked what got the 16-year-old skill-ready for Test footy, Halse explained she spent years as a kid kicking goals at posts her parents put up in the backyard.<\/p>\n She also drew a chalk stick figure on the driveway fence and would spend hours and hours passing at the shape.<\/p>\n That dedication now has her playing alongside childhood hero Georgina Frederichs.<\/p>\n MASTERS OF MANY<\/strong><\/p>\n One final word on the Wallaroos win over Fiji, because it's worth repeating.<\/p>\n After making the switch from hooker to backrow, Ash Masters turned in "the best performance by ANY player in Aussie Rugby this year," according to colleague Morgan Turinui.<\/p>\n When you consider some of what we've already seen from across the country through to the end of May, that is an enormous call, but, after reviewing her highlights for a third time, it's tough to argue.<\/p>\n QUALIFIED TIMES TWO<\/strong><\/p>\n Congratulations to the Aussie women and men's Sevens teams who've now both qualified for next year's Olympic Games.<\/p>\n The women had their spot sewn up months ago after a string of good tournaments, however the men only locked their spot in on the weekend.<\/p>\n Their efforts at Twickenham were enough to see them dodge the dangerous road of qualifying though Oceania.<\/p>\n To cap a big few days in London, Australia's Henry Patterson was named in the series Dream Team.<\/p>\n Given the near 260 players who played across the season, it's a huge and deserved accolade for the Easts centre. He has huge potential in both Sevens and 15s like Dylan Pietsch, Lachie Anderson, Ben O'Donnell and Corey Toole before him.<\/p>\n BIG PRAISE FOR THE BIG MAN<\/strong><\/p>\n French side La Rochelle claimed the biggest club trophy in Europe after defeating Leinster in the Champions Cup finale.<\/p>\n Trailing 17-0, the Ronan O'Gara coached side launched a huge comeback to win by one, which in turn brought enormous praise for Wallabies lock Will Skelton.<\/p>\n Respected expert and former Scotland international Jim Hamilton was glowing in his take on 'Skelts'.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/jimhamilton4\/status\/1659978077017980928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw<\/a><\/p>\n One wonders, if Skelton is doing the damage he is, with a French side \u2026 against the best Ireland have to offer, where does that leave him ahead of the World Cup in terms of Wallabies selection?<\/p>\n NEXT GEN GOOGS<\/strong><\/p>\n Drew Mitchell spotted this interesting lock pairing in the Shute Shield a couple of weeks back.<\/p>\n Check out the names of the Marlins tall men, I'm chasing the background \u2026 surely it's a nod to our colleague, the 'Goog' himself.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cr2hDJVrTwn\/?utm_source=ig_embed&<\/a><\/p>\n See you on Stan Sport for this week's Between Two Posts episode with Hoilesy and Morgs.<\/strong><\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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