Graeme Langlands

Playing 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

Awards & Accolades

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

Playing 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   App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
City vs Country Firsts 7 5 32   - 79 7 0 0 100.00% List
Interstate Matches 33 19 40   - 137 30 2 1 90.91% List
Tour Matches Southern Division 1 1 -   - 3 1 0 0 100.00% List
Craven Mild Cup 44 10 104   - 238 31 12 1 70.45% List
NRL 227 86 648   - 1554 158 61 8 69.60% List
Tour Matches New South Wales Firsts 3 - 10   - 20 1 1 1 33.33% List
Tour Matches Australia 50 21 78   - 219 34 13 3 68.00% List
Test Series 33 17 69   - 85 22 10 1 66.67% List
Tour Matches St George Dragons 1 - -   - - 1 0 0 100.00% List
NRL Finals 26 7 64   - 149 14 11 1 53.85% List
The Ashes 12 6 43   - 208 8 4 0 66.67% List
Tour Matches Sydney Firsts 2 3 8   - 25 1 1 0 50.00% List
World Cup 11 3 4   - 17 8 1 2 72.73% List


International

Test Matches - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Australia 1963-75 45 20 73   - 206 30 12 3 66.67% List

World Cup Matches - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Australia 1963-1975 11 3 4   - 17 8 1 2 72.73% List


Representative

Australia - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Southern Division 1962 1 1 -   - 3 1 0 0 100.00% List
NSW Firsts 1962-73, 1975 37 20 59   - 178 32 3 2 86.49% List
NSW Country Firsts 1962 1 - -   - - 1 0 0 100.00% List
NSW City Seconds 1963, 1965 2 1 6   - 15 2 0 0 100.00% List
Sydney Firsts 1964, 1966 2 3 8   - 25 1 1 0 50.00% List
NSW City Firsts 1967-70, 1972-73 6 5 32   - 79 6 0 0 100.00% List
Overall1962-1975 49 30 105   0 300 43 4 2 87.76% List


Club Career

NRL/NSWRL - By Year

Team Season App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
St George NSWRFL 1963 19 15 31   - 107 17 2 0 89.47% List
St George NSWRFL 1964 11 10 32   - 94 10 1 0 90.91% List
St George NSWRFL 1965 16 3 76   - 161 15 1 0 93.75% List
St George NSWRFL 1966 14 6 54   - 126 12 1 1 85.71% List
St George NSWRFL 1967 21 6 29   - 76 13 7 1 61.90% List
St George NSWRFL 1968 17 2 -   - 6 9 6 2 52.94% List
St George NSWRFL 1969 19 4 77   - 166 12 7 0 63.16% List
St George NSWRFL 1970 17 5 55   - 125 13 4 0 76.47% List
St George NSWRFL 1971 20 14 77   - 196 13 7 0 65.00% List
St George NSWRFL 1972 19 7 64   - 149 13 4 2 68.42% List
St George NSWRFL 1973 23 5 84   - 183 14 8 1 60.87% List
St George NSWRFL 1974 12 3 34   - 77 6 6 0 50.00% List
St George NSWRFL 1975 15 5 29   - 73 10 4 1 66.67% List
St George NSWRFL 1976 4 1 6   - 15 1 3 0 25.00% List

NRL/NSWRL - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
St George 1963-76 227 86 648   - 1554 158 61 8 69.60% List

Your Say

  • peter butler
    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.

  • Darryl
    14/05/2014

    Was my childhood hero by far , Truly one of the greatest ever to lace on a boot in any code

  • Stevo
    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! .

  • Adrian CarĂ©
    30/10/2015

    My all time favourite fullback. He was a brilliant player and he is my fullback in my dream team.

  • John michels
    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

  • Anonymous
    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.

  • Anonymous
    29/08/2017

    was the best and still is Go Chang

  • lionel
    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.

  • mike j
    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.

  • Jack Buttigieg
    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.

  • Michael
    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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Contributions: Greg Fiveash, Andrew Ferguson, Shawn Dollin, Paul Carter, Rugby League Tables, Alan Katzmann, Michael Borg, Max Turner, Bill Bates, AJ Lucantonio