NSW Waratahs celebrated their 2026 Season Awards on Monday night, with young backs Max Jorgensen and Amelia Whitaker taking home top honours.
Jorgensen, 21, was recognised for a great Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season by winning the prestigious Matt Burke Cup and was also named as Best Back for the men’s team. Men’s captain Matt Philip finished runner-up for the Matt Burke Cup and was named Best Forward.
Whitaker, 19, was named Women’s Player of the Year and Best Back. Kaitlan Leaney, who finished runner-up for Player of the Year, was recognised as Best Forward for the women’s team.
Matt Burke Cup top five
Max Jorgesen – 125 votes
Matt Philip – 105 votes
Sid Harvey – 73 votes
Pete Samu – 62 votes
Charlie Gamble – 51 votes
Women’s Player of the Year top five
Amelia Whitaker – 109 votes
Kaitlan Leaney – 72 votes
Ruby Anderson - 54 votes
Faliki Pohiva – 51 votes
Desiree Miller – 50 votes
Super Rugby Pacific Rookie of the Year Sid Harvey took home the Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah award, while Piper Simons was named Women’s Rookie of the Year.
Andrew Kellaway, Jack Debreczeni and Emily Robinson were also recognised for their contribution to the NSW Waratahs at the Season Awards.
Full list of 2026 Season Award winners
Matt Burke Cup: Max Jorgensen
Women’s Player of the Year: Amelia Whitaker
Men’s Best Back: Max Jorgensen
Women’s Best Back: Amelia Whitaker
Men’s Best Forward: Matt Philip
Women’s Best Forward: Kaitlan Leaney
Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah: Sid Harvey
Women’s Rookie of the Year: Piper Simons
Dave Dennis Award: Edwin Langi
Hall of Fame inductees: Otto Nothling, Eric Tweedale and Peter Carson
