Former QLD Origin selector Des Morris talks about Allan Langer’s iconic return in 2001

In part two of our exclusive four-part series with former Queensland Maroons selector Des Morris, he talks about the legendary comeback of ‘Alfie’ Langer.

IT was almost rugby league turned James Bond.

Secret cover ups, using a false name – somehow the Queensland Maroons managed to hide one of the most famous comebacks in rugby league history from millions of people.

But one of the most iconic moments in State of Origin history almost never happened.

Former Queensland forward and coach Des Morris takes us behind the scenes of an iconic Origin moment in part two of our four-part series on inside the mind of the Maroons selector.

ALFIE’S BACK

The year was 2001 and after the Blues swept Queensland 3-nil in the previous series, including an embarassing 56-16 loss in Game 3, and coach Wayne Bennett and his Maroons needed revenge and fresh blood. The selectors rang the changes with 10 debutants including Petero Civoneciva and Daniel Wagon a surprise pick at five-eighth.

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Queensland debutants looked the goods and dominated the first game with a 34-16 victory at Suncorp but were left without their inspirational leader in the ‘Raging Bull’ Gordon Tallis for the rest of the series after the second-rower suffered a serious neck injury.

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Capitalising on Tallis’ absence, New South Wales hit back in Game 2 with Trent Barrett starring in the 28-6 win after moving to halfback to cover injuries to Andrew Johns and Brett Kimmorley.

The Blues forced a series decider, which would be played at Queensland’s second home in ANZ Stadium, instead of their spiritual home at Suncorp.

Des Morris remembers Alfie Langer’s famous comeback in 2001. Picture: Jono Searle

Then Sydney Roosters playmaker Paul Green had been the Maroons halfback for the first two games but was shifted to hooker for Game 3 as the man known as ‘Alfie’ made a return.

Langer, who was an Origin legend after making 30 appearances for his state, had retired from representative football and at 35-years-old was playing in the English Super League as captain of the Warrington Wolves.

Wayne Bennett was the man behind Allan Langer’s comeback in 2001.

“Wayne had sort of decided that we needed a halfback,” Morris said.

“But what a lot of people don’t know is that we were actually talking to two players who were playing in England, Jason Smith was the other one.

“He (Smith) could’ve been the player who came in for game three but we managed to get Alfie, for a number of reasons but obviously one big reason was the relationship between him and Wayne (Bennett).”

Allan Langer returns from England for Game 3 of the 2001 State of Origin series.

The Maroons managed to keep the legend’s return a secret for the most part, even keeping it from most of the players with captain Darren Lockyer only finding out the night before the team was named.

Langer even boarded a flight back to Australia from England using a false name.

But with the 20th State of Origin series up for grabs, the stage was set for one of the game’s greats to add another historic moment to an already illustrious career.

Allan Langer runs out for Queensland in Game 3 in 2001.

However, no one could have seen what actually happened in the deciding game.

“To be honest, we didn’t know what to expect,” Morris said.

Video still of Langer’s try during Game 3 in 2001. Picture: Courtesy Channel 9

“Alfie was getting on in his career and was playing in the Super League, we thought he would honestly provide a bit of experience and leadership in such a big game.

“But he was dominant, he had his hand in so many of the big moments in the game, set up a few tries and scored one as well, I mean, that try was pretty special.”

Allan Langer being chaired from ground by teammates after Queensland defeated NSW in Game 3 to win the 2001 State of Origin series. Picture: Glenn Barnes

Queensland would go on to record a 48-14 drubbing of the Blues in front of almost 50,000 fans in Game 3, capping off Langer’s remarkable return as one of Origin’s most memorable moments.

Allan Langer with teammates pose with State of Origin trophy in 2001. Picture: Mark Evans

Langer would go on to play all three games in the 2002 series before hanging up his boots for the final time at the end of that season.