Latest news with #Langer
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
‘Little bit of Alfie': Qld no.7 compared to legend
NSW coach Laurie Daley has paid rival halfback Tom Dearden the ultimate compliment by comparing Queensland's running man to Maroons legend Allan Langer, who spent years terrorising the Blues. Newly appointed Queensland captain Cameron Munster has often been likened to Maroons great Wally Lewis in the big games, but it's his new halves partner who has earnt glowing comparisons just a week out from the crunch clash in Perth. Langer was a nightmare for tiring defenders and would punish anyone if they were slightly off their assignment, with his lack of size not stopping him from making defenders look silly close to the line. Daley and Langer crossed paths plenty of times at club level and in Origin, and the Blues boss is preparing for another attacking assault from Dearden, who has replaced long-time captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey. 'I don't buy into what the opposition do, but what I do know is that Tom Dearden is a great player,' Daley said at the NSW training base in Leura. 'If anyone has ever listened to my radio station that I do, I reckon he's the person I rap most on that radio show over the past 18 months. 'I just love everything about him, and he's going to be a difficult challenge for us because he's a threat every time he has the ball. 'With him and Munster, if they're in a running frame of mind, then it's going to be a big test of our defence.' Daley said the Blues couldn't afford to sit back and let Queensland's halves attack their line, with the NSW legend on the receiving end of plenty of Langer's trick shots. Dearden has played four matches for Queensland at five-eighth and came off the bench in game one, but this will be the first time he starts at halfback as the Maroons fight to keep the series alive. 'He's just continually at you and he never rests. The moment that you rest is the moment that he finds you,' Daley said. 'He's got a little bit of 'Alfie' (Langer) about him. It's a different style, but Alfie was always one of those players that was at you, at you, at you, and the moment that you made the wrong decision, he was through. That's what Dearden is. Allan Langer is a Maroons legend. The Courier-Mail Credit: News Limited 'He's such a good, tough player who challenges the line and is a massive threat for us.' Dearden punches above his weight in defence and is a dogged runner of the ball who can hurt you with his short passing game when he's not throwing dummies. Blues hooker Reece Robson has seen Dearden take more ownership at the Cowboys after moving to halfback for their past three games, and he's expecting nothing different from him next week. It's not a foreign scenario for Dearden, who replaced Cherry-Evans in the Kangaroos side last year and was named man of the match playing in the halves alongside Mitch Moses in the Pacific Championships final. 'It's not for me to speak about the 'Chez' situation up there, but as a teammate of Tommy's at the Cowboys, I'm glad that he gets his opportunity at half,' Robson said, with Dearden setting up four tries in three games at halfback this year. Dearden has replaced Daly Cherry-Evans. Nigel Hallett Credit: News Corp Australia 'He's definitely played well in the opportunities that he's already had with Queensland – not as the chief playmaker yet – but playing in the halves these days can be pretty similar, especially in Origin where it's war and attrition out there. 'He'll give it his best and go well, but we've got to make sure that we do our job to nullify him and the rest of them as best we can.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Time has come': Stunning call for Allan Langer to backflip on Broncos role
Allan Langer and the Broncos are being urged to reconsider his move into a corporate role in a bid to spark the struggling NRL team. Michael Maguire's side have lost five of their last six games, falling to eighth on the ladder after 12 rounds. The Broncos started the season in superb form, and many experts had them as genuine premiership contenders. But questions are now starting to emerge about the culture and vibe at the club under Maguire. It comes after Langer moved into a corporate role in 2025, ending his iconic stint as the club's trainer and assistant coach. Langer decided the arrival of Maguire to replace Kevin Walters was a good time for him to change and move into a role working with the club's corporate partners. But his return as trainer for Billy Slater's Queensland team has shown he still loves that role as well. And it's seen leading reporter Robbert Craddock question whether Langer and the Broncos should reverse their arrangement and get him back running the water. Langer is known for his ability to keep things light off the field and in the dressing room, and he's in charge of organising the Maroons' social gatherings during Origin camp. He's so popular with the players, and his absence at training and on game days would no doubt be having an effect at the Broncos. "The time has come for the Broncos to give serious consideration to getting Allan Langer, mood-lightener extraordinaire, to swap his smartly ironed corporate shirt for his old water bottle and return as club trainer," Craddock wrote in on Monday. "Who better to add humour, spirit and enjoyment to a team craving all three." Craddock said watching Langer in Queensland camp showed him what the Broncos have been missing. " at his best in the dressing room," Craddock added. "Two years ago when the Broncos won nearly all their away games, skipper Adam Reynolds said one of the key reasons was the entertainment factor of having Langer's lightness and humour on tour." Last year when the Broncos announced Langer was switching roles, Craddock predicted it would have a detrimental effect for the players. The Broncos and Maroons legend said of his return to the Origin fold earlier this month: "It's wonderful – it's the three best weeks of the year. The joy of being here and seeing these young guys and they still show you the respect is just a great feeling." Tellingly, the 58-year-old recently declared the Broncos are 'lacking team spirit at the moment." He added: "The senior players have to get the group together and work out what is going wrong. Because it's hard for the coaching staff or anyone outside the playing doesn't look great watching it, especially the last few weeks." RELATED: NRL world saddened over new revelation about Steve Mortimer Bulldogs State of Origin rep facing the axe once Galvin arrives Maybe Langer is the perfect man to show the players where they're going wrong. At the very least he'd provide a huge boost to moral and be a leader in the sheds. Craddock wrote last week: "The sight of Langer at Queensland training, making people smile as he always does, was a reminder that maybe the Broncos were too hasty in shifting him from his playing day role as a trainer to become a corporate mingler. Langer is much more than a trainer. He's a bush psychologist who knew when players were down and needed a lift or a laugh. The current Broncos could do with a laugh."
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rishabh Pant's nightmare IPL 2025 met with ‘respect' from coach Justin Langer: ‘That's the sign of a strong person'
It's been a season to forget for Lucknow Super Giants, and no player reflects the team's downturn better than their captain, Rishabh Pant. As LSG prepare for their final game of IPL 2025, they sit out of playoff contention with 12 points from 13 games. Pant, who fought back from a life-threatening car crash just over a year ago, has endured his worst IPL campaign, scoring just 151 runs at a strike rate of 107.09. Head coach Justin Langer, however, refused to let the numbers define Pant's season. During LSG's game against Gujarat Titans, Langer hailed Pant's strength amid personal and professional adversity. 'You always judge a person's character by how they go through tough times. And Rishabh's stayed consistent the whole way through. I really respect that. We all know what he's been through over the last couple of years, but he keeps stepping up, he keeps performing, he wants to get out in the middle, and he wants to keep fighting hard for the boys,' said Langer. The 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter's output with the bat has fallen starkly short of expectations, but Langer stressed that Pant's attitude remained unshaken despite LSG's faltering campaign. 'So from that point of view, he's done a really good job. You would not know, and that's a sign of a really strong person,' Langer added. LSG's recent win over Gujarat Titans, powered by Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran's fireworks, was a timely reminder of what this side is capable of on their day. Their 235-run total in Ahmedabad was defended with ease, but such moments have been few and far between for a side that has looked disjointed during crunch moments. With one match left—against Royal Challengers Bengaluru—Langer stressed the importance of pride and professionalism as LSG aim to bow out with a statement. 'I mean, there's always something to play for. There are guys who haven't had great seasons who want to showcase their talents, and as a team, we respect that we haven't been at our best the last few games. There's no excuse for that, but we want to show that we've got a very good core. We've got a closely-knit team. There's no doubt about that. So it'd be nice to finish off strongly,' he said.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Strong Rishabh Pant has my respect: Justin Langer backs struggling LSG skipper
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is enduring a forgettable season in the Indian Premier League. With just 151 runs at a strike rate of 107.09 from 13 matches, it marks Pant's worst-ever performance in the tournament's history. However, despite the numbers, LSG head coach Justin Langer has praised Pant's character and leadership within the to the broadcaster during the game between Lucknow and Gujarat Titans, Langer commended Pant for the resilience he has shown during difficult times. He reminded viewers of the serious accident Pant survived in December 2023 and the intense effort it took for him to return to international always judge a person's character by how they go through tough times. And Rishabh's stayed consistent the whole way through. I really respect that. We all know what he's been through over the last couple of years, but he keeps stepping up, he keeps performing, he wants to get out in the middle, and he wants to keep fighting hard for the boys," Langer said during the live broadcast. "So from that point of view, he's done a really good job. You would not know, and that's a sign of a really strong person," he put on a commanding performance against table-toppers Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran combined to take the team to a formidable total of 235, which the bowlers later defended with LSG already eliminated from the playoffs race, Langer emphasised the importance of finishing the season on a positive note."I mean, there's always something to play for. There are guys who haven't had great seasons who want to showcase their talents, and as a team, we respect that we haven't been at our best the last few games. There's no excuse for that, but we want to show that we've got a very good core. We've got a closely-knit team. There's no doubt about that. So it'd be nice to finish off strongly," Langer currently sit on 12 points from 13 games and will play their final match of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. A win would not only close their campaign on a high but also prevent RCB from securing a top-two finish in the points updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment! IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
India.com
22-05-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Sanjeev Goenka's LSG likely to part ways with head coach Justin Langer after disappointing IPL 2025, Zaheer Khan to take charge
Zaheer Khan. New Delhi: Following two consecutive seasons without making the IPL playoffs, the Lucknow Super Giants are expected to dismiss head coach Justin Langer. Zaheer Khan is anticipated to replace him as the team's mentor. Langer, who succeeded Andy Flower in 2023, will likely lose his position with the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise. Despite two seasons under the leadership of Andy Langer, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) failed to reach the IPL playoffs. They finished seventh in IPL 2024, and in the current season, led by Rishabh Pant, they have been eliminated from playoff contention with two matches remaining. Aajkaal reports that Langer, intends to depart the team and has ceased communication with several senior players. The report further states that Zaheer Khan has assumed full responsibility for the team's management. The report clarifies that Langer and Zaheer lack a working relationship due to communication difficulties. Zaheer, a new father, is described as having integrated well with the team in a friendly capacity. An official announcement is anticipated shortly. Despite acquiring Rishabh Pant for a substantial Rs 27 crore at the mega auction, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have underperformed, winning only five of their twelve matches. Although their batting has been strong, their bowling attack, hampered by injuries, has significantly hindered the team's success. Rishabh Pant's performance has been a significant letdown for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He scored only 135 runs across 12 innings, including a single half-century. LSG's upcoming matches are against Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
