Waratahs No.8 Langi Gleeson frequently struggles to align two contrasting parts of his life. He shuns the spotlight, but rugby drags him centre stage as a rampaging back rower in a bright red scrum cap.
Less than two weeks away from the announcement of the Wallabies squad for the British and Irish Lions series, Gleeson is desperate to be picked, but has overcome a far greater battle, finally finding happiness on the field.
Gleeson has finished the season with the Waratahs, playing the best rugby of his short career. In January, the No.8 was uninvited to a Wallabies training camp in Sydney after news of his impending move to Montpellier became known. Ultimately, the news liberated Gleeson.
“It’s hard when you get paid to do something that you loved as a kid. You get paid to do it now, and the fun goes away, and if you don’t love what you’re doing, you’re not doing it to the best of your ability. I reckon this year, I had nothing to lose,” Gleeson said.
“Like when I got kicked out of the (Wallabies) camp, I knew why, but I was just accepting it, and I was like, ‘if I play good enough, they have to pick me’.
“And I tried to do that this year, and maybe they do, maybe they don’t (pick me), but I’ve had a good year.”
Langi Gleeson has played the best rugby of his career this year for the WaratahsCredit: Getty Images
Whenever the Waratahs needed a tough carry this season, the ball inevitably fell into the hands of Gleeson or his Wallabies teammate, prop Angus Bell. Gleeson’s ability to consistently break tackles has been set against his constant fight against a harsh inner-critic that rarely stops to rest.
“Once I make a mistake, I tend to compound it in my head, and every time I drop a ball, and then I know I’m supposed to carry the next one, I’m thinking: ‘shit, don’t drop it, don’t drop it’,” Gleeson said.
“I remember the second Reds game this year, I dropped a few balls and after the game, I saw my parents, my head was down, I was just in the dumps, worried about the next game, what’s going to happen, and then my Mum (Elizabeth) helped me out with it, like mistakes are going to happen…”
Gleeson’s chosen position is a tough one for a man who doesn’t relish attention. The trademark red headgear is also thanks to his Mum, who initially chose it to try and spot her son on Manly Oval alongside his brother Ben, now a regular at the Marlins.
The No.8 is often the physical focal point of the team, used to provide inspiration when needed when defences are at their toughest.
Gleeson has now established himself as one of the premier back rowers in Super Rugby, standing in contrast with the young man from Dee Why who arrived at the Waratahs in 2022.
“My first year of debuting for the Tahs, I was shitting myself on the bench. I was scared. I didn’t want to play,” Gleeson said.
“But I reckon, once you’re in the game, like physically in the game, and you make your first carry, everything else just goes out the window.
“If I’m looking at the crowd, my mind just wanders. Especially in the Wallabies it’s daunting because you can’t be perfect, but the coaches expect you to be perfect. So every little thing you have to think of, it’s doing your job right.”
At 23-years-old Gleeson was faced with a crucial decision early in his career at the start of this year, to stay or go. He had interest from Northampton and Exeter in England and Montpellier.
Ultimately, he decided that a move to France would not only push him out of comfort zone off the field, he would return a far better rugby player to Australia.
“I thought I’d probably do it (move) later in my career. But I just feel like mentally and physically, I just feel a bit stagnant the last four years. I’ve sort of been in the same position,” Gleeson said.
“So I just thought, Top 14 is one of the biggest rugby competitions and as a player I need to adapt, I just want to learn a few new things as well.
“Obviously, money comes into play as well. I’m definitely going to come back, but I just feel like it’s a good time in my career to do that (move).”
Gleeson hasn’t been in regular contact with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt since the start of the year when he was uninvited from training camp. Gleeson was told he would still be considered for selection if he played well enough, and he is not alone. Brumbies pair Noah Lolesio and Tom Hooper are also overseas-bound, but likely to be in the squad.
“It would mean everything (to get picked),” Gleeson said.
“It’s either the Lions or the World Cup I think they’re one of the biggest things in our sport, it would be a dream, if I don’t play, I’ll still come support the boys, I’ll still try and either watch them on TV or come and see them.
“It’s hard because there are so many good performers this year, especially in the back row Carlo (Tizzano), Tom Hooper who’s also leaving is killing it.
“I think it just depends on what Joe and the coaching group wants, I tried to give everything I could this year, especially to the Tahs.
