As one of league’s greatest characters, Allan Langer reflects on the changing nature of the game

AS one of league’s greatest characters, Allan Langer reflects on the changing nature of the game and why a bit of fun is still important.

2013 Allan Langer at his Caloundra restaurant Mooo Char and grill. Pic Megan Slade.

ALLAN Langer is one of rugby league’s greatest players and characters. Winning Origin man-of-the-match awards 15 years apart remains one of the game’s most extraordinary feats. A mentor to current stars such as Billy Slater, he is a fixture at Queensland camps where his playful demeanour plays a crucial role in lightening the mood.

It is said you are one of the few people brave enough to ring Wayne Bennett after midnight. True?

I occasionally ring him at early hours. Sometimes he answers, sometimes he doesn’t. If he doesn’t answer, he will ring back the next day. I leave a few messages for him, too.

Such as?

Just stuff about his coaching style, and how we actually made him.

You tell him that at 1am?

Not at 1am, no. It’s normally 3am. He enjoys it. That is the relationship we have got. He still gets enjoyment out of his ex-players. Even when we have reunions, he is normally one of the first there and loves the company.

Wayne Bennett and Langer after Queensland defeated NSW in game 3 of the 2001 Origin series.

So Wayne never drinks but he still manages to enjoy himself?

Wayne gets drunk on the atmosphere. That is what he enjoys.

You were a product of the great finishing school of backyard football but times have changed, haven’t they?

These days for kids it is more video games and PlayStation. But I look back very fondly at our backyard stoushes with all the kids in the neighbourhood joining in. You would go home at dark, watch a bit of telly and go to bed. That was our afternoon and the weekend would be taken up with sport — rugby league or cricket.

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Did backyard footy hone your skills?

Definitely. We did not have the biggest back yard in the world and that actually helped my skills because you had to learn to dodge and weave. We had a concrete slab in the middle of our back yard, then there was the clothes line and the fences. It was all part of growing up.

Has the game changed since you played? There seems to be a lot more Polynesians — big men — playing.

Players are bigger and more solid. They spend a lot more time in gyms. When I run out with the water, I am glad I am carrying that and not a football. When I see a bloke get hammered by three tacklers I think “I am glad that’s not me”.

Who would be the player you would least like to run into in the modern game?

Manu Vatuvei … I watch him out on the wing and think he would be a hard man to bring down one on one.

What was your favourite Origin game?

My first game was one of my favourites. A lot of people did not want me in there. There was a lot of criticism. I knew I had to go out and play for myself and my career, or be back working for the Ipswich City Council.

Langer makes another darting run during game two of the 1992 series.

And you did go back to the council briefly, didn’t you?

Yes. I went back to work on the kerb and channel gang. That was my life. I enjoyed it but I enjoyed playing football most.

How were boys in the council gang after your Origin performance?

They were great. We had a good time. But after that I signed with the Broncos, so I finished with the council and moved to Brisbane.

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Kev Walters says you used to wind up Cooper Cronk about his finger-waving celebration when he kicks a 40-20. A bit over the top, you reckon?

I have a go at him in jest. They are great players but you are allowed to have a go at them. My message was just go up and feed the scrum instead of saying “come and give me five or maybe give me 10”.

Langer says he’s not too shy to give the likes of Cooper Cronk a bit of a wind-up.

Are you still close with tommy Raudonikis?

I am. He is a great mate. I still do a couple of functions with him. It is a laugh a minute. He loves his footy and we love talking about the good old times. I remember coming back in 2001 from England and playing that Origin game. We caught up with tommy and the boys at the Brekky Creek. It was just a magical moment.

What about those old days at Ipswich when you and the boys used to secretly raid his soft drink truck?

He is not hard to wind up. At the Jets, he used to drive a soft drink truck and the boys used to grab a crate each while he wasn’t looking. He would come out after training and blow up. At the end of the day, he had a laugh about it.

Trevor Gillmeister tells the story of the days when you would hold up a scrum at the Sydney Football Stadium waiting for a race result on the screen. Great memories?

That was one of our favourite stadiums we used to play in. We would slow down the walk to the scrum so they would not pack before the results came on the screen. I don’t punt as much now. I have got past that stage … I had a lot of good times doing it. And a few regrets as well.

Do you think Queensland have to provide more protection for Johnathan Thurston in the next Origin?

Your forwards have to get on top and give you room to move. But you have to give NSW credit. They were up in our face and didn’t give them any room to move. That is part of the game.

You own Alfie’s Restaurant at Caloundra. Do you cook?

No, my wife (Janine) is the head chef. I mingle with the guests.

What is Janine’s best dish?

I really enjoy our duck dish and you cannot go past a steak. I am a real steak man.

That’s some image — Tina Turner with players Langer, Andrew Ettinghausen and Wayne Pearce.

You are a funny man but who is the funniest you played with?

I am great friends with Kevvie Walters. We have been close all our lives and it was great to have such good times off the field … I see a bit more of him now he is back in Brisbane. We love taking the mickey out of each other.

What were your emotions when Bennett called you back from England for the last Origin game of 2001?

I asked him what took him so long to call. In one way though, it was a tough decision because I had to make sure I was fit enough. It was a great thing. I had the fear of failure, which was part of it. The media hype that week made it unbelievable. Just having my mum and dad being able to watch me again in Queensland colours. You don’t get too many second chances … I knew I had to pay Wayne back for selecting me.

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Football has become a very serious sport since you retired. Would you have to change if you played today?

You probably would … but you still have to have a good time. Part of my job with Queensland is entertainment manager. They have to enjoy themselves. You have to watch how far you go but if you don’t enjoy yourself or your mates, why do it? If they are not having a good time they are like robots. You just have to watch when you do it and where you do it.

Mal Meninga and Langer enjoy a laugh during Maroons training.

Is your mother Rita still involved in rugby league?

She still works at the Norths canteen at Ipswich and loves doing it. She is on the ladies’ committee at Norths and does a day a week at the Blair School canteen. She does Meals on Wheels and still loves coming to the Broncos. It is part of her life and still loves doing.

Do you miss playing?

I’m lucky enough to still be involved. I do corporate work with the Broncos and I do this with the Queensland side … if I was away from it, I would miss it.

What’s the thing you miss least?

Tough pre-season training.