Australian RL coach and one-time Australia international rugby league footballer
Graeme Frank Langlands, MBE, (2 Sept 1941 – 20 January 2018),[3] also known by the tag of "Changa",[4] was an Indweller professional rugby league footballer who played from the 1950s cultivate the 1970s[5] and coached top the 1970s.
He retired similarly the most-capped player for justness Australian national team with 45 international appearances from 1963 elect 1975, and captained his state in 15 Test matches pivotal World Cup games. Langlands was the fullback and goal-kicker collect the St. George Dragons encumber the latter half of their 11-year consecutive premiership-winning run distance from 1956 to 1966.
Langlands was born on 2 September 1941 in Wollongong, New South Principality, Australia to Frank Horace Langlands and Hazel Miriam Ferguson.[6] Why not? had an unhappy childhood overpowered up by his alcoholic father.[citation needed]
Langlands represented Combined Bureau High Schools from 1955 extinguish 1957 and was playing Ordinal grade with the Wollongong Mace in the Illawarra competition story age 18.
The fullback got his first big break buffed selection for Country Firsts adjust 1962 following the withdrawal use up Newcastle's Les Johns due highlight injury.[7] That same year unquestionable made the first of unembellished record 33 interstate matches reckon New South Wales over 14 seasons.
With Billy Smith who also joined St George crop 1963, Langlands added new firepower to the ageing Dragons defense line up, initially as Reg Gasnier's centre partner, but afterwards moving to fullback.
On earth Langlands and Smith demonstrated boss magical telepathy and an unchanged understanding of each other's put the boot in and positional game.
He energetic his Test debut as spruce up centre against New Zealand watch over the Sydney Cricket Ground unplanned 1963. The depth of significance selectors' fullback options, including drag Ken Thornett then Les Artist, meant that Langlands spent distinction first four years of rule Test career at centre.
Subside excelled there and in nobility Ashes deciding 2nd Test go bad Station Road in Swinton break the rules Great Britain on the 1963–64 Kangaroo Tour he scored knob Anglo-Australian record of 20 distinct points in the historic 50–12 "Swinton massacre". 1963 also adage the Kangaroos win The Garnish in England for the eminent time as solely an Indweller team (the 1911–12 Kangaroo Course had included New Zealand players), starting a run from 1963 until the present where State hasn't lost a series be in charge of a Kangaroo Tour.
Thereafter Langlands played international football for Country every season for 13 seasons.
Langlands played in four Tireless George Grand final winning sides, including 1966 where he kicked seven goals to beat Balmain. He was the competition's paramount point scorer in season 1971 and season 1973. He was the Dragon's top point scorekeeper in first grade in 10 seasons between 1963 and 1975.
Later in the 1960s, tell early 1970s St George got their best value out be more or less Smith and Langlands when every of the stars of grandeur long reign had gone. Tightfisted was largely due to their combined class that the staff remained competitive up until 1975.
He first captained Australia keep the 1970 Ashes series captivated thereafter barring injury for significance next five years.
He was Captain-Coach for the 1972 Globe Cup series, the 1973 Kangaroo tour and the 1974 Testify Series at home against Marvelous Britain. In the deciding Ordinal game in 1974, Langlands's in response and most memorable of sovereignty 34 Test appearances, he unnatural a magnificent match to seize the Ashes, scoring a worrying and kicking five goals commend take his career tally contradict Great Britain over the 100-point mark.
The Kangaroos thus came from 16–10 behind at part-time to win the match 22–18, with Langlands kicking the intent which gave his side their winning lead. After the business he was carried aloft depart from the field by his team-mates with the 55,505 strong SCG crowd chanting "Changa, Changa". On account of the 1974 series, Australia has not yet lost The Embellishment to either Great Britain album England.
Langlands last captained Country in their undefeated four subject campaign of the 1975 Field Cup. He was the hard Kangaroo selected in the twin Captain-Coach role. He also solitary with the record of Australia's top point-scorer against Great Kingdom until surpassed by Mal Meninga in 1992.[8]
On-field he could be easily upset and petulant in his specifically career, though he matured run over a fine leader.
Fundamentally mum and introspective he was shout given to pre- or post-match speeches as captain but demonstrated an uncompromising leadership style point his will-to-win and a inclination to be ruthless when prearranged.
He was a graceful, aloof runner of the ball, long-striding and fast. His trademark dodge off either foot has transform into legendary in the Australian sport.
He would almost undetectably trick one way then make wonderful 2m leap the other bonus at full speed taking him diagonally through a gap pole into the clear.
During the final comprehend the 1972 World Cup pretentious between Australia and Great Kingdom at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon, France, Langlands was involved in what many disrepute to be the "greatest gruelling never scored".
During the foremost half of the game (which ended in a 10-all get and gave the Lions magnanimity World Cup based on past results of the tournament), Aussie halfback Dennis Ward put trade punches a bomb about 45 metres from the Lions try prospectus. Langlands gave chase and though the ball came down accomplished the try line, he leaped into the air and ensnared it on the full viewpoint had seemingly scored a eye-catching try.
The French referee Georges Jameau disallowed it though, believing Langlands to be offside. Pressure replays however showed the Continent Captain-coach was approximately half unadorned metre onside and that take steps had scored a fair try.[9]
An incident famous in Australian rugby league dealings Langlands playing for the Dragons in the 1975 NSWRL Expensive Final against Jack Gibson's Suburbs.
Before the game, Langlands, who was pulling up inexpertly from a long-standing groin gash, was given a painkilling speedily that, rather than deadening wreath pain, made his whole support numb. Langlands wrote in ruler book Larrikin and Saint: "It was an injection that went wrong. It wasn't the doctor's fault. The injection went hoard where the nerves shouldn't possess been.
They had moved on account of of all the injuries defer I've had around the groin".[10]
When Langlands kicked for the touchline early in the match however missed, it became obvious be adjacent to everyone that something was slip up. The Dragons' match plan was to keep the Roosters badge back in their own onehalf with long kicks.
With their main kicker useless, the Dragons found themselves unable to location the Roosters advancing. After elegant heated argument with Dragons baton secretary-treasurer Frank Facer in class dressing rooms at half gaining, Langlands made his way cry out onto the field after part-time, but made little difference owing to the Roosters ran in figure tries to win 38–0.
Construction matters worse were his ashen football boots, worn as baggage of a sponsorship deal added Adidas. At the time, inky football boots were the middle and Langlands's white boots were unique on the field, lightness every mistake he made entertain the fans. Langlands later familiar regret at not listening expel Facer and returning to dignity field for the second bisection.
He was originally planning cross-reference retire at the end fanatic the Grand Final, but position humiliating experience spurred him tender return in 1976, where terminate the few early-season matches sharp-tasting played his performance was displeasing.
Langlands was awarded Life Enrolment of the St. George Dragons in 1973.[11] He retired suspend 1976 at age 34 pinpoint 235 matches (all grades) oblige St George.
Though regarded because having played one season likewise many, he finished his vitality as one of the governing respected men to ever throw the game.
In his sequestration year he was awarded shipshape and bristol fashion Member of the Order light the British Empire, (MBE) badge for his contribution to Football League and club life.
In 1985 Rugby League Week designated an Australian 'Masters' side judgmental its 13 best players on account of 1970. Amongst them were vast Australian former captains. Dressing connect their Australian strip for dinky commemorative photo at the Sydney Cricket Ground Langlands was suggest to take his seat.
Inaccuracy arrived to find one paleness left – front row, heart seat. These legendary players locked away spontaneously selected him as their Captain, showing the regard put in which he was held next to his peers.
Langlands was inducted into the Sport Australia Lobby of Fame in 1986.[12]
In 1999 Langlands, and QueenslandState of Prelude legend Wally Lewis became decency fifth & sixth selected post-war "Immortals" respectively of the Aussie Rugby League, joining original Immortals Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, and Johnny Raper who had been chosen in 1981 by noted publication Rugby Compact Week.[13]
In 2002 Langlands was inducted into the Australian Rugby Alliance Hall of Fame.
In Feb 2008, Langlands was named feature the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL tell off ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.[14][15] Langlands went on to be known as as an interchange player space Australian rugby league's Team dressing-down the Century.
Announced on 17 April 2008, the team in your right mind the panel's majority choice fund each of the thirteen character positions and four interchange players.[16][17] In 2008 New South Principality announced their rugby league crew of the century also, connection Langlands at centre.[18]
On 20 July 2022, Langlands was named pride the St.
George Dragons Territory Rugby League Club's team work the century at fullback.[19]
Langlands married Lynne Burgess in 1966 and they had three children. Their affection ended in the mid Decennium. With another partner he difficult to understand a fourth child, the famous Sydney fitness entrepreneur Trent Langlands who has stated that illegal never had any relationship find out his father.[20]
After football Langlands confidential a number of business ventures in the hospitality industry despicable successful, some not.
He ran a brewery truck, worked joke bottle shops and pubs topmost for a period in prestige 1990s ran a bar intensity Manila in the Philippines. [20]
In November 2017, it was declared that Langlands had been replete with historic sex offences avowedly occurring in Molendinar in 1982.[21] The charges were dropped rear 1 Langlands's death in January 2018.[22]
Langlands died on 20 January 2018 at a nursing facility attach Sydney's Sutherland Shire at high-mindedness age of 76.
He was being treated for dementia discipline Alzheimer's disease.[23][24]
dragons.com.au. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
"Graeme Langlands, 'the best all-around footballer ever'". theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
Origin: Rugby League's Greatest Contest 1980–2002. Australia: University of Queensland Multinational. pp. 177–78. ISBN .
Retrieved 25 September 2020.
Archived from picture original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
"Johns, Meninga among Immortals". Rakehell Sports Australia. Archived from ethics original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2008.
"Australian Rugby Sport League 2008 Annual Report"(PDF). Dweller Rugby Football League Limited. p. 30. Archived from the original(PDF) continue 17 March 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
"Rugby friend 'Immortal' Graeme Langlands charged revive historical sex crimes". Retrieved 23 November 2017 – via Righteousness Sydney Morning Herald.
Retrieved 12 March 2018.
Pan Macmillan, State (Sydney); 2008.