Of all the benefits of a new, national high-performance program, Waratahs coach Dan McKellar couldn’t have guessed one of the first to drop in his lap would come via the Wallabies coach letting a bee loose under the bonnet of one of his star forwards.
But so it has unfolded, after a sequence of events that began just before Christmas last year when NSW and Test loose forward Langi Gleeson was included on a 40-man list of Wallabies players to attend a pre-Lions series camp in early January.
Gleeson had agreed to a deal with Montpellier in France for 2026 and 2027. But, after informing Rugby Australia, his Wallabies invitation was withdrawn and given to Charlie Cale.
The ruthless axing was a continuation of Schmidt’s policy of showing preference to players who are committed to Australian rugby, as he’d done repeatedly throughout 2024.
Given Gleeson played nine Tests last year, however, it seemed a tough call. And a potentially perilous precedent ahead of the Lions series, too, given other big Wallabies stars like Fraser McReight, Tom Wright and Noah Lolesio are yet to re-sign.
But Schmidt later met Gleeson after the camp and along with explaining why he’d been ditched, the coach also told the Manly No.8 he could still force his way back into consideration for the Lions series.
Langi Gleeson carts the ball up against the Fijian Drua.Credit: Getty Images
“I still have a chance. [Schmidt said] If I play good enough I will be in,” Gleeson said.
“I can sort of see why they did. Obviously, I just wanted to focus on the Tahs and play good footy as much as I can, and try to be in that position that they have to pick me.”
A door may have closed in January, but the message was Gleeson could still kick it down – and after two rounds of Super Rugby, that’s exactly what he’s been doing.
Gleeson was outstanding in wins over the Highlanders and Drua. He has already given Schmidt plenty to think about. Across all major performance categories this season, Gleeson is up by considerable percentages compared to last year and has not only set a physical tone for NSW, but stayed in the game for longer than in past years, too.
Langi Gleeson carries the ball in the first Bledisloe clash in Sydney in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
“Physically I am the same as last year, but I feel like I have [had] a mindset shift,” Gleeson said when asked what was behind his strong start to the season.
“I feel like I have a point to prove. I didn’t really start the best last year and I just have to have that mindset of every carry and every tackle, and just do it for the boys on the field with me.”
Gleeson declined to confirm the two-year Montpellier deal and, curiously, even saying he still had to “overlook my options” but informed sources said there was no prospect of the No.8 changing his mind and staying in Australia. The back-rower may look to return for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, however, by signing a deal for the 2028 season.
As with all players, Gleeson’s hopes of earning selection in the Wallabies’ squad for the Lions tour will be boosted by strong performances in the local derbies.
The Tahs take on the Western Force on Saturday at Allianz Stadium, and Gleeson and his back row colleagues will have do battle with a Force trio led by the in-form Carlo Tizzano, and the impressive Nick Champion de Crespigny. The pair are first and third for most tackles in the competition.
De Crespigny returned from a three-year stint in France this year, and the 28-year-old former Sydney Uni forward has been so strong that he was this week re-signed by the Force for another two seasons, and is also being touted as a Wallabies bolter.
“Every player says they have that ambition, to play for their country, and it is definitely one I have, but foremost I want to do the best for the Force and whatever comes will be,” De Crespigny said.
Meanwhile, Rugby Australia and Queensland have confirmed the retention of Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto through to the end of 2028.
Salakaia-Loto, who played at the 2019 Rugby World Cup but was overlooked for the 2023 tournament, was close to taking a contract from an overseas club but RA upped their original offer to ensure the 28-year-old stayed in Australia.
Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
