Coaching Career
Vital Statistics
- Full Name
- Graeme Frank Langlands
- Nickname(s)
- Changa
- Born
- Tuesday, 2nd September, 1941
- Died
- Saturday, 20th January, 2018 (Aged 76 years and 140 days)
- Place Of Birth
- Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Honours & Awards
Based only on data available in the RLP database. This information should be used as a guide only.
- World Cup
- 1968, 1975
- The Ashes
- 1963/1964, 1966, 1967/1968, 1974
- Test Series
- Australia vs New Zealand 1963, Australia vs South Africa 1963, 1963/64 France vs. Australia, Australia vs France 1964, Australia vs New Zealand 1967, Australia vs New Zealand 1972
- Interstate Series
- 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975
- NSWRFL Premiership (NRL)
- 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966
- Preseason Cup
- 1963, 1964, 1965, 1971
- Clive Churchill Medal
- 1964
- Immortal
- 1999
- International Hall Of Fame
- 2002
- National Rugby League Hall Of Fame
- 2002
- NSWRL Hall Of Fame
- 2017
Biography
The greatest points-scorer in the history of the St George club Graeme Langlands kept league crowds spellbound with his marvelous feats at club, state and international level. An Australian rep player for thirteen seasons the brilliant Wollongong fullback got his first big break with selection for Country Firsts in 1962 following the withdrawal of Newcastle's Les Johns because of injury. Langlands then represented NSW, the first of a record 33 matches for his state, before signing with St George in 1963 (although Manly offered more money). Playing the first of four consecutive winning grand finals he made his Test debut in the series against NZ that year. It was the first of 34 Test appearances for Langlands - a figure that would have been much higher except for a proliferation of World Cup matches. Langlands took part in three World Cup series; 1968, 1972 and 1975 (the last two as captain) but was ruled out of the 1970 World Cup with a broken hand. Langlands made the first of three Kangaroo tours in 1963-64 and played in all five Tests in the centres (Ken Thornett was fullback). In the 50-12 Second Test victory at Swinton that won the Ashes Langlands scored the then record 20pts (2t, 7g). Langlands was a champion goal-kicker, landing 7 goals in St George’s 1966 grand final win against Balmain and was the season's leading point-scorer in 1971 and 1973. Reports of misbehaviour on the 1967-68 Kangaroo tour were personally damaging but he bounced back to captain Australia in the First Test in Brisbane in 1970 before being ruled out of the remainder of the series with broken ribs. 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. 'Changa' Langlands was responsible for so many magic moments on the football field that it is difficult to detail them all. On one infamous occasion in the 1972 World Cup in France he was denied a try that was so freakish in its execution that it was disallowed because French officials felt that he must have been offside. When St George's 'golden era' ended in 1966 Langlands continued to inspire the club, teaming brilliantly with champion halfback Billy Smith. The two champions almost snatched victory from Souths in the 1971 grand final. Although Langlands had an exceptional will to win at times this manifested itself in a brash aggressiveness and lack of judgment. He often carried injuries into games and played beyond the physical limitations of his body. Critics called for blood when Australia faced defeat in the 1974 Ashes series against Great Britain but Langlands came back to inspire Australia to a magnificent 22-18 victory in the Third Test. In that match the Australian captain-coach became the first player to top 100pts in Ashes Tests and was carried from the field by his players with the huge SCG crowd chanting his name. It is best that he be remembered for this match rather than the disappointing 1975 grand final - a personal disaster that has been well-documented. 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. 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. In 1999 Langlands was finally named as one of the post-war ‘Immortals’, joining former team-mates John Raper and Reg Gasnier in travelling through country NSW promoting the game. Biography, Larrikin and Saint (2001).
- ALAN WHITICKER
Coaching Career Statistics
All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.
To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
Competitions | ||||||||||||||
Competition | Games | W | L | D | Win % | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Ashes | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 66.67% | List | |||||||
World Cup | 2 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 75.00% | List | |||||||
Tour Matches | Australia | - | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 76.47% | List | ||||||
Tour Matches | New South Wales Firsts | - | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||||
Test Series | 10 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 75.00% | List | |||||||
Interstate Series | 12 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 75.00% | List | |||||||
City vs Country Firsts | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | |||||||
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) | 4 | 118 | 69 | 44 | 5 | 58.47% | List | |||||||
NSWRFL Finals | - | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 30.00% | List | |||||||
Preseason Cup | 4 | 20 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 60.00% | List | |||||||
Midweek Cup | - | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 66.67% | List | |||||||
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Test Matches - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | Games | W | L | D | Win % | ||||||||
Australia | 1973-75 | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 76.47% | List | |||||||
World Cup Matches - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | Games | W | L | D | Win % | ||||||||
Australia | 1973-1975 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 75.00% | List | |||||||
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Australia - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | Games | W | L | D | Win % | ||||||||
NSW City Seconds | 1973-76 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||||||
NSW Firsts | 1973-76 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 76.92% | List | |||||||
NSW City Firsts | 1973-76 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | |||||||
Overall | 1973-1976 | 21 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 80.95% | List | |||||||
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NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) - By Year | ||||||||||||||
Team | Season | Games | W | L | D | Win % | ||||||||
St George | NSWRFL 1972 | 23 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 69.57% | List | |||||||
St George | NSWRFL 1973 | 25 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 60.00% | List | |||||||
St George | NSWRFL 1974 | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 45.45% | List | |||||||
St George | NSWRFL 1975 | 25 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 56.00% | List | |||||||
St George | NSWRFL 1976 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 60.87% | List | |||||||
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL) - By Team | ||||||||||||||
Team | Years | Games | W | L | D | Win % | ||||||||
St George | 1972-76 | 118 | 69 | 44 | 5 | 58.47% | List |
Contributions:
Greg Fiveash, Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson, Max Turner, Paul Carter, Rugby League Tables, Tony McCarron, Alan Katzmann, Michael Borg, Bill Bates, AJ Lucantonio
Your Say
19/03/2011
In my opinion, I have not seen a better player than Graeme Langlands. He was special - the game he played for the Dragons in the 1971 final said it all. He was brilliant.
14/05/2014
Was my childhood hero by far , Truly one of the greatest ever to lace on a boot in any code
02/09/2015
I am not a St George supporter, but Chang was easily the most complete footballer I have seen. Skilled , smart , tough he had it all. Many times I saw him play for his club & country held together by strapping & bandages in much pain ,but could still put in a match winning performance with his great ability ,will to win & big heart. He was a Champion! .
30/10/2015
My all time favourite fullback. He was a brilliant player and he is my fullback in my dream team.
19/01/2017
To all concerned
Graham who is a man that keeps a lot to him self
He is my friend and is a great guy
I dont need to talk about his career,as it is well documented
He has been misunderstood a lot of times ,and. Quoted but
A lot of unthruths.
A legend and special guy.
John michels
12/04/2017
changa was a champion one of the best i have ever seen,i remember scg 1974.he beat england on his own.
29/08/2017
was the best and still is Go Chang
12/02/2018
we may have lost in 1975 but on 20/1/2018 we lost
much more a great player.
final score GRAEME LANGLANDS 76 knockers nil.
rest in peace saints to win! CHANG.
24/03/2020
graham was the best allround rugby league player,fearless,dynamic in attach with the biggest and best side step plus uncanny change of pace.One other legend said chasing him was like trying to catch a sheep.Great defender and one of the greatest football brains,captains courageous,a real legend and inspiration.
14/12/2021
Isaw Chang play on many occasions, but none better than the day he led Australia against Great Brittan in the 3rd Test at the SCG. The crowd just unisend to the sound of Cganga, Changa. He was the players player.At club level Chang and Billy Smith would demoralise opposition too.
16/10/2022
I grew up with him in Wollongong and watched him as a child practice and develop his side step using the light posts in Pioneer Park
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