Max Jorgensen has thrown out the challenge to Tom Wright that he's eyeing the Wallabies' No.15 jumper when the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies clash in a make-or-break Super Rugby Pacific stoush in Sydney.
As well as a finals spot going on the line at Allianz Stadium on Friday night, the pivotal encounter shapes as another precious chance to impress outgoing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and incoming national boss Les Kiss ahead of the fast-approaching July Tests.
Wright had a firm hold of Australia's fullback position before tearing an ACL last year.
The 28-year-old has yet to hit his straps since returning for the Brumbies this season, while Jorgensen has impressed after making the switch from the wing for the Waratahs in recent weeks.
While Jorgensen would be a walk-up start for one of the wing positions for the Wallabies' first Test of 2026 against Ireland in Sydney on July 4, the 20-year-old on Thursday made clear his preferred position remains fullback.
"I've been loving my time at fullback. I always thought it was my natural position. I've played it my whole life in juniors and through school.
"So to get the opportunity there again is pretty cool and just sort of gives me that bit to roam around the field and do what I can to help the boys."
Jorgensen, though, has huge respect for Wright and says he'd be happy to slot anywhere into the Wallabies backline.
"It was unfortunate to see him get injured last year. But now he's back-up and running which is good, so at the end of the day it's out of my hands," Jorgensen said.
"I'll play anywhere on the field. Whatever's best for the team and wherever the coaches see me best, so, yeah, it doesn't really matter."
The fullback duel between Jorgensen and Wright looms as a spicy sub-plot to a crucial derby with massive finals ramifications hinging on the outcome.
Sitting three points behind the fifth-placed Brumbies in seventh spot, the Waratahs almost certainly need to win and then beat the Western Force in Perth in the last regular match of the season to make the top-six finals.
After snapping an eight-match losing streak in the national capital in round seven, the Waratahs are seeking to complete a first season double over the Brumbies since 2015.
"It was huge for us. We hadn't won down in Canberra for years," " Jorgensen said.
"And to do that to them earlier in the season is really big for us, so we know we have the potential to beat them and definitely can do a job on them.
"So if we bring the same thing into tomorrow night, we'll get it done."
