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Langi Gleeson (born 21 July 2001)[2] is an Australian rugby union player who plays for the Montpellier in Top 14 and Australia national team. His playing position is flanker or number 8. He was named in the Waratahs squad for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season as a wider training squad player.[3] He made his Waratahs debut in Round 2 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season against the Reds.[4]

Key Information

International career

[edit]

On 30 October 2022, Gleeson made his test debut when he took was substituted for Rob Valetini in the 74th minute against Scotland which the Wallabies won, 16 to 15.[5] On 27 November 2022, Gleeson made his debut test start for Australia in which they won 39 to 34 against Wales.[6]

References

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Langi Gleeson

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Langi Gleeson (born 21 July 2001) is an Australian professional rugby union player of Fijian descent who plays as a back-rower for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific and has represented the Australia national team, the Wallabies, since 2022.[1] Standing at 189 cm and weighing 109 kg, he attended St Augustine’s College in Brookvale and Cromer High School, beginning his club career with the Harbord Harlequins.[1] Gleeson made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2022 after progressing through their pathways.[1] His rapid rise was marked by selection for the Wallabies end-of-season tour that year, following just eight matches and 150 minutes of professional play.[1] Internationally, Gleeson debuted for Australia against Scotland in Edinburgh in November 2022, becoming the 960th Wallaby.[1] He has since earned 18 caps, including standout performances in the 2023 Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji and Tonga, appearances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup versus Georgia, and matches in the 2024 Rugby Championship against Argentina and New Zealand, as well as the 2025 Rugby Championship against South Africa.[1] He was also selected for the Wallabies' 2025 end-of-year tour.[2] His Fijian heritage has been a personal motivator, particularly in games against Fijian sides like the Drua, where family connections in Fiji add emotional depth.[3] In early 2025, Gleeson signed a deal to join Montpellier in the French Top 14 at the end of the season, leading to his exclusion from the Wallabies' January camp under Rugby Australia's policy restricting overseas-based players from national selection.[4] Despite this, he remained a key figure in the Waratahs' 2025 Super Rugby campaign and contributed to Australia's Rugby Championship efforts.[5]

Early life

Family background and heritage

Langi Gleeson was born on 21 July 2001 in Sydney, Australia.[1] Gleeson hails from a family with mixed Australian and Fijian roots, featuring an Australian father and a Fijian mother whose heritage has profoundly shaped his cultural identity.[6] Gleeson was raised in Fiji during his early childhood, attending Dilkusha Boys Primary School, before moving to Sydney.[7][8] This maternal connection to Fiji underscores his strong ties to the island nation, where he maintains close family bonds.[3] His grandfather, Lagi Peters, has publicly expressed pride in Gleeson's achievements, highlighting the familial support from Fiji.[7] Gleeson's Fijian heritage plays a significant role in his personal identity, particularly evident in his enthusiasm for matches against Fijian teams, where he embraces his roots and acknowledges the deep emotional resonance for his family.[9] He has described playing in Fiji as profoundly meaningful, given the presence of numerous relatives who share his passion for rugby.[3]

Schooling and junior rugby

Gleeson attended St Augustine's College in Brookvale, Sydney, where he developed his rugby skills during his secondary education, and also studied at Cromer High School in the same northern beaches area.[10] His early exposure to rugby came through the junior club Harbord Harlequins, where he began playing at the under-12 level initially as a winger.[1][11] This foundation in local club rugby transitioned into school representative play, marking the start of his competitive youth career. At St Augustine's College, Gleeson played in the First XV for two years and shifted positions to No. 8, a role that suited his physical attributes and growing prowess as a forward.[11][12] His performances earned him selection for the Australian Schools Barbarians team in 2019, where he represented the side in matches including one against Samoa.[1][13] This honor highlighted his emergence as a promising talent in Australian schoolboy rugby.

Club career

Early club rugby and league stint

Following his time at St Augustine's College, Gleeson briefly explored rugby league, joining the South Sydney Rabbitohs' under-20s squad in 2019 after leaving school.[14] During this stint, he featured in matches for the Rabbitohs' junior representative side, scoring a try in a 2019 fixture against the Illawarra Steelers.[15] The crossover highlighted his versatility as a powerful back-rower, but Gleeson ultimately decided to return to rugby union, drawn back by his passion for the code and opportunities in the Shute Shield competition.[1] Gleeson rejoined the Manly Marlins in the Shute Shield for the 2021 season, marking his entry into senior club rugby.[6] His time with the Marlins was promising but curtailed by injury; he suffered a knee issue during a pre-season trial against Randwick, limiting him to just four appearances where he emerged as a dominant force in the back row.[14] In those games, Gleeson contributed significantly to Manly's attack, involved in around eight or nine of the team's ten tries early in the campaign, showcasing his explosive carries and defensive presence despite no recorded points from his own efforts.[14] While recovering from the knee injury, Gleeson trained with the New South Wales Waratahs' main squad and strength and conditioning program throughout 2021, using the period to build exceptional physical power through weightlifting.[16] He also featured for Waratahs A, earning man-of-the-match honors in a victory over the Brumby Runners, which accelerated his professional pathway.[16] This performance led to a two-year contract signing with the Waratahs in July 2021, securing his place until the end of 2023 and transitioning him from club rugby to the professional ranks.[16]

New South Wales Waratahs

Langi Gleeson signed a long-term contract with the New South Wales Waratahs in July 2021 as part of a promising trio of young talents from the club's development pathway.[17] His Super Rugby debut came in Round 2 of the 2022 season, starting against the Queensland Reds on 25 February at Leichhardt Oval, where he contributed to a 16-20 loss in a match marked by the Waratahs' early-season struggles.[18] Gleeson's 2022 season proved to be a breakout campaign, featuring in eight matches and accumulating approximately 150 minutes of play, which showcased his explosive back-row presence and directly contributed to his end-of-season Wallabies call-up.[1] This rapid rise was built on standout performances in the Shute Shield competition with the Manly Marlins, including a pivotal display in their May 2022 victory over Warringah that highlighted his tackling prowess and offloading ability, paving the way for his seamless integration into the professional squad.[19] In June 2023, Gleeson extended his contract with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia through to the end of the 2025 season, securing his role as a key loose forward amid praise for his rare combination of size, power, and speed—often described in media as that of a "physical freak" at 189 cm and 109 kg.[20][6] By 31 May 2025, he had made 46 appearances for the Waratahs across Super Rugby Pacific, scoring 60 points through twelve tries, with his most productive season coming in 2025 when he featured in 14 matches and crossed for seven tries.[21] The 2025 campaign included notable highlights, such as a dynamic performance against the Fijian Drua on 28 February, where Gleeson's try-scoring and defensive efforts helped the Waratahs secure a 29-24 victory, serving as a strong reminder of his international potential amid a resurgent team effort.[22] His consistent impact that year culminated in major awards at the Waratahs' end-of-season ceremony, recognizing his leadership in fantasy points and on-field contributions.[23]

Contract with Montpellier

In January 2025, reports emerged that Langi Gleeson had agreed to join Top 14 club Montpellier on a contract for the 2025/26 season, marking a significant step in his professional career abroad. He joined the club in October 2025.[24][25] The deal followed Gleeson's re-signing with the New South Wales Waratahs through the end of 2025, with the move driven by his desire to pursue new challenges and career enhancement in a different rugby environment after completing his Australian commitments.[26][27] The overseas commitment immediately impacted Gleeson's international prospects, as Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt rescinded his invitation to the team's initial 2025 training camp in Sydney, adhering to Rugby Australia's policy that prioritizes domestically based players for national squad selections.[4] This exclusion, which replaced Gleeson with Brumbies flanker Charlie Cale in the 40-player group preparing for the British and Irish Lions tour, underscored the tensions between club ambitions and Test rugby eligibility under the current framework. Despite the short-term setback for his Wallabies involvement, the transfer to Montpellier offers Gleeson exposure to the high-intensity, physically demanding style of European rugby, which is anticipated to accelerate his development as a dynamic back-rower and broaden his tactical acumen.[27] At 23 years old at the time of the agreement, this opportunity aligns with broader trends in the global player market, potentially allowing him to return to Australian rugby for the 2027 Rugby World Cup if he excels in France.[28]

International career

Australia A team

Gleeson was selected for the Australia A squad in June 2022 ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup, becoming the fourth player with Fijian heritage links in the group alongside Filipo Daugunu, Serupepeli Uru, and Mark Nawaqanitawase.[29][7] The tournament, hosted in Fiji, provided a platform for emerging talent to gain international exposure against Pacific Island nations, aligning with Gleeson's own Fijian maternal heritage.[1] As a versatile back-row forward capable of playing flanker or No. 8, Gleeson featured prominently in Australia A's three matches during the competition: a 26–31 loss to Samoa on 2 July, a 32–18 win over Fiji on 9 July, and a 39–22 victory against Tonga on 16 July.[30][31] He scored his sole try—and thus 5 points overall—in the decisive win over Tonga, powering through from close range in a pick-and-go effort late in the first half.[31] Gleeson's physicality and ball-carrying ability stood out in these encounters with Pacific opponents, where his Fijian roots added cultural resonance to his contributions on the field.[32] His strong showings in the back row during the tournament paved the way for a rapid call-up to the senior Wallabies squad later that year.[1]

Wallabies selection and Tests

Gleeson's rapid ascent to the Wallabies culminated in his Test debut as a substitute on 29 October 2022, during the end-of-year tour against Scotland in Edinburgh, where he entered in the 62nd minute after just eight Super Rugby appearances with the New South Wales Waratahs.[1] This selection marked a meteoric rise for the then-21-year-old back-rower, who had accumulated only 154 minutes of professional rugby prior to the call-up; in media interviews, Gleeson expressed astonishment at the pace of his progression, stating he "didn't expect to be a Wallaby within 10 years."[33] He earned his first starting position on 26 November 2022, lining up at number eight against Wales at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, contributing to a hard-fought 39–34 victory in the final match of the 2022 end-of-year Tests.[34] Gleeson's powerful carrying and defensive work in these initial outings established him as an impact player, blending Fijian heritage-driven physicality with emerging tactical awareness. By the conclusion of his debut international season, he had featured in three Tests, all off the bench initially before his starting role.[35] Gleeson's inclusion in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad under coach Eddie Jones provided his next major international platform, though his role remained limited to a single substitute appearance against Georgia on 9 September 2023 at Stade de France, entering late in a 35–15 win.[1] Reflecting on the tournament's intensity post-event, Gleeson described the World Cup environment as a "different animal" compared to prior Tests, highlighting the heightened pressure and global scrutiny that underscored his need for greater consistency to secure more opportunities.[36] Despite the restrained minutes, the experience fueled his development, leading to a contract extension with the Waratahs through 2025.[35] Under new head coach Joe Schmidt in 2024, Gleeson solidified his position as a reliable bench option, appearing in multiple Rugby Championship and July series matches, where his explosive carries—often exceeding 50 post-contact meters per game in key outings—added dynamism to the back row.[37] He returned to pre-season training that year in career-best physical condition, crediting a focused off-season regimen for enhancing his speed and power, which translated to impactful substitute roles in Tests against Argentina and New Zealand.[36] Following the policy change in August 2025 relaxing restrictions on overseas-based players, Gleeson was selected for the 2025 Rugby Championship, earning his 18th cap during the tournament. As of November 2025, he has amassed 18 Test caps for Australia, all as a forward without scoring points, reflecting his utility in the loose-forward trio across various competitions.[1] However, his international trajectory faced a setback in early 2025 when, following his agreement to join Montpellier in France's Top 14 for 2026–27, he was excluded from the Wallabies' January training camp by Schmidt, a decision emphasizing Rugby Australia's policy at the time prioritizing domestic-based players amid preparations for high-stakes fixtures like the British & Irish Lions series.[4] Despite the snub, Gleeson was later recalled and contributed to the 2025 Rugby Championship efforts, though a late-season injury made him unavailable for the end-of-year tour in November 2025.[28][38]

Personal life and playing style

Gleeson is known for his humble and unassuming personality, often shunning the spotlight despite his rising profile in rugby. He has described himself as a harsh self-critic, prone to overthinking mistakes on the field, such as dropped balls, but has worked to accept imperfections with support from his family.[39] Born in Dee Why, Sydney, Gleeson's mother Elizabeth has been a key supporter, even selecting his distinctive red scrum cap to easily spot him during games at Manly Oval. His brother Ben plays rugby for the Marlins club. In 2025, Gleeson signed with Montpellier in France's Top 14, planning to return to Australia after his contract.[39] As a back-rower, primarily playing number 8 or flanker, Gleeson is renowned for his physical prowess, combining immense size (189 cm, 109 kg) and power with exceptional speed—his 40-meter sprint time comparable to a winger. He excels in brutal carries through defenses, breaking tackles, and delivering strong tackling displays.[1]

References

  1. Langi Gleeson | Player Profile | Wallabies Rugby
  2. Langi Gleeson | Player Profile - Western Force
  3. Langi Gleeson Embraces Heritage Ahead of NSW Waratahs ...
  4. Wallabies 'uninvite' Langi Gleeson after French club deal – report
  5. Australia Roster for 2025 Rugby Championship
  6. 'He's a physical freak': The unbelievable rise of Langi Gleeson
  7. Gleeson the fourth player with Fiji links named in Australia A side
  8. Fiji holds 'special place' in Wallabies hearts but allegiances won't ...
  9. Wallaby Origins: The clubs, schools that produced World Cup stars
  10. St Augustine's College Rugby - Facebook
  11. St Augustine's College Rugby - Facebook
  12. Red alert as Manly flanker Gleeson finally gets his chance for Tahs
  13. https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/content/pathways-wrap-up-junior-reps-round-4-and-jersey-flegg-isp-final-trials
  14. NSW Waratahs secure signatures of talented trio
  15. Waratahs confirm signing of promising trio - RUGBY.com.au
  16. Langi Gleeson Player Profile & Stats - Rugby Database
  17. Langi Gleeson: The 20yo No.7 who turned his back on league to ...
  18. https://nsw.rugby/news/langi-gleeson-resigns-202361
  19. Langi GLEESON : stats - All.rugby
  20. Scrappy Waratahs hang on against Fiji as Gleeson delivers timely ...
  21. Gleeson, Friedrichs claim major awards at NSW Waratahs Season ...
  22. Wallabies: Blow for Joe Schmidt as Langi Gleeson 'agrees' Top 14 ...
  23. 'Size, power and speed': Langi Gleeson re-signs with Rugby Australia
  24. How Rugby Australia should work with the global player market, not ...
  25. Ruthless Wallabies axing lit a fire under Langi Gleeson
  26. https://nsw.rugby/news/nine-waratahs-selected-in-australia-a-squad-for-pacific-nations-cup-2022614
  27. Match report Australia A 26 - 31 Samoa, 02/07/2022 - All.rugby
  28. Pacific Nations Cup 2022 Round 3: Tonga vs Australia XV (22 - 39)
  29. Australia A vs. Tonga: Langi Gleeson stars in Pacific Nations Cup win
  30. 'I didn't expect to be a Wallaby within 10 years': Gleeson's meteoric rise
  31. Gleeson to cap off breakout season with Wallabies start against Wales
  32. Langi Gleeson locked in for two more years - Wallabies
  33. 'Different animal': Gleeson's Wallabies realisation after limited World ...
  34. Rocks and diamonds: Langi's 'physicality' and Fraser's 'massive ...
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