Wallaby Gleeson made to work for Waratahs No 8 jersey
Waratahs flanker Langi Gleeson is taking nothing for granted after he was given a gentle reminder that being a Wallaby doesn’t guarantee a Super Rugby Pacific start.
Gleeson had a meteoric rise in 2022, playing his first Test match after just 154 minutes of game time in eight matches with NSW.
The 21-year-old played three Tests on the European spring tour – with Gleeson himself noting he’d come a long way since being in awe of playing at Leichhardt Oval last year in his Waratahs debut.
Gleeson will start at No.8 for the Waratahs in their Super Round clash in Melbourne, taking on Fijian Drua on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
But he had to earn the spot, after coming off the bench in their opening loss to the Brumbies last weekend, admitting the starting snub “lit a fire”.
“I guess it did, obviously I wanted to start this year,” he said.
“Being in the second team, I felt like it was the right thing because I wasn’t really there yet but I’m working my way from there and luckily, they gave me a start.
“Being in the Wallabies doesn’t mean anything, I just had to get my work-rate a bit higher coming in heavier than last season but I’m getting used to the weight now.”
He said he’d learnt plenty at Test level from his veteran teammate Michael Hooper and also Wallabies stand-out back-rower, Brumbies big man Rob Valetini.
Gleeson said playing for Australia had given him a confidence boost, although he didn’t feel he’d changed too much – apart from now weighing in at 110kg.
“It still hasn’t clicked with me,” Gleeson said.
“I feel like when I came in here for pre-season I still had to catch up with some of the boys because they’re a bit fitter and faster than me.
“But I feel more comfortable on the field – training and playing at that level really puts into perspective how good you can be.”
The Drua opened their season with a two-point win over Moana Pasifika, with Waratahs assistant Jason Gilmore well aware of the threats that they possess after coaching Australia A against Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup last year.
Gilmore said field position was particularly important given Fiji’s ad-lib style.
“They love their offloads so how we can tackle and wrap that ball up is going to be important so they don’t get those second-phase plays,” Gilmore said.
“If we can keep it a more structured game than unstructured, it’s not rocket science against Fiji but you need the maturity to keep to that game plan.”
He felt the NSW team would be more settled after the big build-up to their Brumbies match last week.
“We were probably a bit anxious last week – there was a big build-up to coming back home for the first time in a while, playing the Brumbies which is almost like the Reds game in terms of tribalism.
“I just think we may have been cooked mentally going into it or thinking too much about it.
“We’ve got that game out of the way and definitely training harder but I think we’re also more relaxed having that game done so we can settle into the season.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments