Graeme langlands biography of william hill

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His trademark sidestep off either foot became legendary in the Australian game. Appointed captain of St. George in 1970 and Australia in 1970, he demonstrated maturity through strategic decision-making, fostering a determined mindset that prioritized team cohesion over individual flair.[20] This shift was evident in his captain-coach role from 1972, where he instilled tactical discipline, turning potential vulnerabilities into strengths during high-stakes series.[19]Langlands' growth extended to his influence on teammates, particularly in mentoring younger St.

George players by example and guidance, helping them navigate the rigors of premiership contention. The 1967-68 tour further solidified his reputation, with Langlands contributing significantly to the squad's efforts against strong British opposition. Langlands continued on bravely, if only to erase the memory of that awful match, but retired in April 1976 - a flawed genius; a survivor, a legend.

Though regarded as having played one season too many, he finished his career as one of most respected men to ever play the game. The depth of the Australian fullback line up with Ken Thornett then Les Johns as incumbents meant that Langlands spent the first four years of his Test career at centre. In 1973 Langlands made his third Kangaroo tour, (the last player to be selected as captain and coach of a touring side) and although he was injured in Australia’s First Test loss the Kangaroos went on to recapture the Ashes.

Complementing his ball-handling skills was his goalkicking accuracy, amassing 648 goals over 227 games for the St. George Dragons, which underscored his precision and contributed significantly to team scoring.[4]Langlands' techniques elevated the fullback role, setting enduring standards for tactical innovation in 1970s Australian teams by emphasizing counter-attacking runs over mere custodianship.[1] He influenced future generations, serving as the prototype for the modern fullback's attacking centrality and inspiring players like Craig Bellamy with his competitive edge.[22] Compared to contemporaries such as Les Johns, Langlands stood out for his elegance and adaptability, with journalist Ken McCaffery hailing him as "the best of them all" alongside figures like Johnny Raper, highlighting his superior blend of flair and reliability.[1][22]

Accolades

Individual and Team Honors

Graeme Langlands received several individual accolades during his playing career, recognizing his exceptional skill as a fullback and goal-kicker.

graeme langlands biography of william hill

He was selected in CountryFirsts in 1962 and that same year made the first of a record 33 interstatematches for New SouthWales over 14 seasons.

Born
Sep 1, 1941
Wollongong
Nationality

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Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Graeme Langlands

Graeme Frank Langlands MBE (2 September 1941 – 20 January 2018), nicknamed "Changa", was an Australian professional rugby league footballer, coach, and administrator renowned for his exceptional play as a fullback and centre.[1][2] Born in Wollongong, New South Wales, he began his senior career with the Wollongong club in 1961 before joining the St George Dragons in 1963, where he played 227 first-grade matches until his retirement in 1976, scoring 86 tries, 648 goals, and 1,554 points.[1][2] Langlands contributed to four New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership victories with St George in 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966, and earned the grand final man-of-the-match award in 1964.[1][3]On the representative stage, Langlands earned 33 caps for New South Wales between 1962 and 1975 and played 45 Test matches for Australia from 1963 to 1975, captaining the Kangaroos in 15 of those, including the 1973 tour of Great Britain and France.[4][2] He scored 20 tries and 73 goals in Tests, amassing 206 points, and led Australia to World Cup triumphs in 1968 and 1975, as well as victory in the 1974 Ashes series against Great Britain, where he became the first player to score over 100 points in the series.[3][4] He contributed 3 tries and 4 goals in 11 World Cup fixtures and 6 tries with 43 goals across 12 Ashes encounters.[2]Langlands also served as a captain-coach, leading St George in 1972 and the Australian team on the 1973 Kangaroo tour and during the 1974 Test series.[1][3] His accolades include induction as the fifth Immortal in the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1999, selection in the Australian Rugby League Team of the Century in 2008, and the New South Wales Rugby League Team of the Century.[1][4] He was named New South Wales Rugby League Player of the Year in 1971 and 1972, received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to rugby league, and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986 and the New South Wales Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2017.[3][4] Over his career, he played 425 first-class games, scoring 170 tries and 2,694 points, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greatest defensive players and goal-kickers.[1][2]

Early Life

Family and Childhood

Graeme Frank Langlands was born on 2 September 1941 in Wollongong, New South Wales, to parents Bill and Zell Langlands.[5] He grew up in a working-class family in the industrial heartland of Wollongong during the 1940s and 1950s, living at Corrimal Street near the Port Kembla steelworks, where the local economy revolved around heavy industry and manufacturing.[5] The region's post-war boom brought modest prosperity to many families like his, though life was shaped by the rhythms of shift work and community resilience amid economic challenges.[5]As a child, Langlands was described as a shy and ordinary boy who enjoyed simple pastimes such as playing marbles and engaging in playground scraps with friends.[5] His early education took place at Wollongong Primary School, followed by Wollongong Technical High School, where he completed his Intermediate Certificate before briefly attending a college in Sydney.[5] From a young age, he was known by the nickname "Changa," derived from "Chang," a moniker that captured his local Wollongong roots and emerging personality traits.[5][6]Langlands' formative years in this tight-knit, blue-collar environment instilled a sense of determination, with his youthful energy later finding a natural outlet in local sports activities.[5]

Junior Rugby League Involvement

Graeme Langlands began his organized rugby league involvement during his school years, representing the Combined New South Wales High Schools team from 1955 to 1957, where he honed his skills in competitive fixtures against interstate opponents.[3]By age 18, Langlands had progressed to first-grade level with the Wollongong Club in the IllawarraRugby League competition, debuting in 1959 and establishing himself as a promising talent in the regional league by 1961.[3][5]Early in his career, Langlands primarily played as a fullback, though he also featured at centre, showcasing his versatility, speed, and defensive reliability that drew attention from Sydney-based scouts monitoring regional competitions.[3][5][2]His breakthrough came in 1962 when he was selected for the New South Wales Country Firsts team, stepping in as fullback after Newcastle's Les Johns withdrew due to injury; Langlands made his debut on 12 May 1962 against City Firsts at the Sydney Cricket Ground, contributing to an 18-8 victory that highlighted his potential and led to immediate interest from metropolitan clubs.[1][2][5]

Playing Career

Club Career with St.

George Dragons

Graeme Langlands joined the St. George Dragons in 1963, transitioning from his junior roots in Wollongong to become a cornerstone of one of rugby league's most dominant eras.[5] His arrival injected fresh talent into the squad, where he primarily played as fullback and goal-kicker, helping to sustain the club's unparalleled success.

A week later he was in the team that beat New Zealand 31-12 in Brisbane, and on June 10, he was running around the SCG with the World Cup after defeating France 20-2 in the final.

In 1970 Langlands was ruled out of the tournament in England with a broken hand but in 1972 he captained Australia during the series in France, where Australia was runners-up.

He was selected in Country Firsts in 1962 and that same year made the first of 33 interstate matches for NSW over 14 seasons.

Langlands added new firepower to the aging Dragons champion line up when he joined St George in 1963. Australia won the first Test 12-6 in Brisbane but lost the second 16-11 in Sydney; in the decider, Langlands implemented a second-half surge that overcame a halftimedeficit, with his personal haul of a try and five goals sealing the result before a crowd of 55,505.

He arrived to find one spot left -front row, centre seat. 'Changa' Langlands was responsible for so many magic moments on the football field that it is difficult to detail them all. He also featured in the 1968 World Cup and captained the 1975 edition, where Australia achieved three wins and one draw. Playing in the same side as him was inspirational,” underscoring how Langlands motivated emerging talents through his resilience and leadership.[19] This mentorship solidified team dynamics, contributing to sustained success at the club level.Spanning from his 1963 debut for St.

George—where he quickly earned Australian selection—to his 1975 captaincy in the World Series, Langlands' career arc exemplified personal maturity, marked by 45 Tests for Australia and a transition from impulsive youth to revered figurehead.[20] His leadership was tested in pivotal moments, such as the 1975 Grand Final against Eastern Suburbs, where despite a heavy defeat and controversy over pain-killing injections and white boots, he affirmed his role as a stabilizing force.[11][19]

Signature Techniques and Influence

Graeme Langlands was renowned for his graceful running style, characterized by long, balanced strides that combined exceptional speed with an almost balletic poise on the field.[3] His ability to accelerate rapidly allowed him to evade defenders effectively, often turning potential tackles into breakthroughs during high-stakes matches.[21] Central to his attacking prowess was his legendary sidestep, executable off either foot with deceptive subtlety, which left opponents mesmerized and created diagonal gaps in defenses.[3][22] This technique exemplified his agility and became a hallmark of his play across 425 first-class games.[1]As a fullback and centre, Langlands demonstrated remarkable defensive reliability, consistently organizing the backline and neutralizing threats under the era's unlimited tackle rules.[1] His versatility shone in transitions between positions, where he maintained composure to defuse high balls and support sweeping attacks.

He went on to represent NSW in 33 interstate matches against Queensland from 1962 to 1975, establishing himself as a key defensive and attacking presence at fullback. These state-level roles demonstrated his tactical acumen in representative rugby league, with a combined win rate exceeding 75% across the competitions.[15][16]In 1980, Langlands took up coaching duties with Port Kembla in the Illawarra Rugby League competition, where he led the team to a premiership victory that season.

Langlands' contributions included a near-iconic disallowed try in the final, highlighting his opportunistic playmaking under pressure.[3][14]Langlands' most notable captain-coach tenure came during the 1973 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain and France, where he became the last player selected for such a dual role on a touring side.

The greatest point-scorer in the history of the St George he later coached Port Kembla in 1980 but on his return to Australia from the Philippines in 1994 he was used as a skills coach and recruitment officer for Canberra. Langlands was the full-back and goal-kicker for the St. GeorgeDragons in the latter half of their 11 year consecutive premiership-winning run from 1956 to 1966.

Born in Wollongong, New SouthWales on 2 September 1941, he representedCombinedNSW High Schools from 1955 to 1957 and was playing 1st grade with the Wollongong Club in the Illawarracompetition at age 18.