Allan Langer - State of Origin Brilliance

Allan Langer's rugby league career for the Maroons spanned from 1987 to 2002. Here are some of his highlights.

[@SimonBaldock]

Best player I ever saw. Never got the Ricky Stuart or Andrew Johns hype personally. For me, Alfie was the greatest half back to have ever played the game. How many games did he win almost single handedly right up to his retirement. Absolute legend of the game and the best number 7 ever IMHO.

[@Mac-jx8uj]

Yep I'll never understand how John's is a so called immortal before Alf ?

[@TheRjw18]

Johns is an immortal before alf because he is a more well rounded player. The dead and blind can see that. Alf always had a good pack behind him

[@waynemarchel9667]

Peter Sterling was miles ahead of Alf and johns

[@7s29]

Alan Langer could read the play like no other, his short kicking game murdered teams. He was small man but, feared by every team he played against. It was an absolute pleasure to watch one of the best half backs our great game has ever seen.

[@jarrodclay1767]

My 3 greats, Alfie Langer, Mel Meninga and Wally Lewis. True Immortals of Rugby League and State of Origin

[@DKTheDarkKnight]

Alfie was my fav player as a kid. Should definitely be a rugby league immortal. He was a big reason for the broncos glory days.

[@DinkyDiTruBlu]

luvd him i did.. still do..

[@IzzyN21]

@@DinkyDiTruBluhow? He’s so rude

[@troystaunton254]

@@IzzyN21because he’s funny, legendary at the football, and only at George fans think he’s rude. But those clowns also booed him when he played for Australia so we need not bother ourselves with their opinion

[@IzzyN21]

@@troystaunton254 Heh and I say why he’s so rude no one will believe me without proof so I’m not gonna cause drama

[@islandboy218]

To put it simply Im from PNG and Alfie Langer was the reason Im Bronco and Maroons Fan!

[@ronanrogers4127]

I like how Langer, in 2019, still gets more minutes on the field than half the players in the Broncos squad.

[@b577960]

I’ve been watching football since the early 70’s and if I was to name 5 of the greatest players I have ever seen. Bob Fulton, Alfie, JT, Slater, Darren Lockyer. You may ask where is Andrew John’s. Yes he was great and he could kick conversions as well, but Alf was pure excitement no one knew what he was going to do, he was so nimble and a grabber kick better than anyone. He was just pure genius

[@redeemedfarmer2670]

And no drug cheat …..

[@nbamorgan4846]

I have been watching rugby league since 1982 when parramatta were hands down the best team of that era all the way until this day. Allan Langer is the best player I have ever seen. Andrew johns peter sterling Laurie Dailey brad fitley Brett Kenny Wally lewis Darren Lockyer Johnathan thuston are all champions of the game but Allan Langer gave me butterflies watching him I have never seen one player dominate an era like he did in the nineties

[@BennysUnhinged]

you forgot meninga when he was a centre for canberra and alotof the time #3 meninga and #4 laurie daily quite often played on the same side like they did in the 89 final which they won it for canberra basically

[@ronanrogers4127]

Thurston was a much better player than Langer

[@matonatomic]

But interestingly, Langer was often displaced in the Kangaroos by Ricky Stuart. In that era, I’d say they were neck in neck. Whereas Thurston locks the 7 spot for himself until he vacated it for Cronk. I rate JT just slightly above Alf.

[@Delorian82]

Langer: the man, the myth, the legend...

[@goosey3828]

Calling my grubber kicks “langers” from now on, what a little champion 🤙🏽

[@shezadm6300]

Haha

[@moisesl2326]

in 2011 i was worried for who was going to replace Locky.... now i'm worried of who will replace the magnificent commentating by Ray Warren

[@xKFCxKAOSx]

this rugby is so much better than what we have now

[@colbran]

The greatest half back of them all was this man right here! True LEGEND of the game of rugby league.

[@matonatomic]

I agree 49%. 51% of me says Thurston... :)

[@troystaunton254]

@@matonatomic honestly when you get to langer, johns, Thurston, Sterling and Stacey jones it’s not so much who was better it’s more pick your champion. Each one had something that made them often imitated never replicated.

[@matonatomic]

@@troystaunton254 All great names, but what do you mean by pick “your champion”? On what criteria do you define a champion? Just who ever gave you more enjoyment watching the game, who had the best stats, or who carried their team through when they needed it the most? Do you have another criteria to choose “your champion”? For me, Thurston was the greatest QLD halfback.

[@troystaunton254]

@@matonatomic by pick your champion I mean. Pick the one who gave you the most joy. I’m a broncos fan who grew up in the 90s Alfie langer is the living embodiment of the greatest of all time for me. I know a bloke who grew up in newcastle. For him it’s Joey, another who grew up in the 80s sees Sterling as the greatest, and as a result we all see the guy who was the best of his era and the best for our own personal criteria as the greatest of all time. Like I could make an argument for every single guy I named as the greatest of all, and I could be right with all of them. Who else has done what those guys did?? Joey was damn near the perfect orthodox halfback. But he couldn’t do what Alfie was doing. Alfie was the perfect unorthodox halfback but he wasn’t capable of what Andrew johns did. Stacey jones is the perfect blend of the 2 but he wasn’t as perfect at with. So for me it’s a once you’re in the top 4 or 5 of all time. Just pick the guy you like and that’s the goat, and the guy down the road that picks a different guy well that’s who he thinks is the greatest he saw. Of course they all have to be in that area. Like Jason Taylor is not in the conversation.

[@matonatomic]

@@troystaunton254 Thanks for sharing your view. Like you, I’m a Broncos fan from 1988, and bawled my eyes when he announced his “retirement” in 1999. And to me I think his ability and drive for success is rare, and his heart and courage is huge for a little bloke. I’ve also seen Thurston go through from a stick figure (at the Bulldogs) to world’s best halfback. He stood way above his peers in his era. Alf is up there, but remember there was also Ricky Stuart who ‘shared’ the Kangaroos 7 with Alfie in his era, tarnishing his dominance a little.

[@joopsnoop]

Wayne Bennett's move to bring Alfie back from UK for the 4rd SoO in 2001 was the back breaker. NSW were finished from the moment he touched the ball.

[@user-tt7cl4cq6y]

Allan Langer was the reason I'm Broncos Fan thank you Langer for the wonderful memories of being the best half back ever

[@blazeboyism]

Long live the brilliance of the Ipswich King. My favourite player without a doubt

[@troystaunton254]

It’s a shame they didn’t include the miracle try, alfies the only one to handle twice in it. So a highlight of his as well.

[@GoddyofWar]

The little General with his golden grubber.

[@TAMATITAUA]

I remember going to the 1988 RL world cup at Eden park in Auckland, Australia brought over a young 21 year old half to partner the king wally Lewis,NZ hadn't seen him before ....after that game all the rugby league public in N.Z knew him.... it was horrific for the kiwis...Im a kiwi too but fuck i respect talent ... Alfie you legend

[@haydencassidy9536]

New Zealand doesn't exist

[@iTzTimmeh]

That final try from carlaw, god it was so epic watching that when it happened

[@RatelHBadger]

Like a freight train

[@missgoonie444]

Did they convert it?

[@iTzTimmeh]

​@@missgoonie444 No Lote Tuqiri missed was pretty ordinary - but it didn't matter as no golden point in those days and a draw was good enough for QLD to retain the title.

[@NxDoyle]

He was something else. He learned from the King the ability to draw two defenders and put them in two minds, but his abilities with the ball on the ground were all his own.

[@Mike-tp2nv]

Awsome thanks for all the amazing decades of srate of origin rugby league and all the awesome players from both states x

[@moisesl2326]

the players these days are without doubt stronger and faster than the players in this video... but back in those days the players played with heart and not just muscle. its awesome to see big hits but they are common and can easily be replaced, however when you when you play with heart unique plays happen.. and they will be remembered for ever. Alan Langer 100% played with heart will never be forgotten

[@genericgeorge]

I was at Maryborough Sports Club the other night for a Langer tribute. Him and Colin Scott got well and truly pissed, got up on the table (again) and danced, knocked some flying on the dance floor after taking a run up lol. All good fun, no harm done but friggin hell it was funny. Good night had by all. And yes the dude is a legend.

[@johnolsen8259]

Wow Langer was a beast respect where respect is more than deserved......wow again after watching this...as a nsw fan u shoulda stayed in Warrington that week 🤔

[@GaryLum]

Alfie should be an immortal. A far better halfback than Andrew Johns.

[@poitty1978]

+ripplednipple not a chance. Everytime Langer played it was Langer who came out on top most of the time

[@BennysUnhinged]

+ripplednipple johns was above avg you are right he wasnt great otherwise hed be remembered for his talent to play league not talent of getting fucked up on eccys

[@BennysUnhinged]

***** BAHAHAHAHA so true

[@9Biloela99]

Alfie is twice the player of Johns and 20 times a better human being

[@dalewilson5613]

Gary Lum . That's funny because most players say Andrew johns is the best half back of all time.. And they know the game the best

[@damionnefelsch6546]

When he came back From England, we needed him and he had great support from all his team but all of us know he won that series being the underdog as usual. Personally i believe he is a .......none of anyones business. He did us good in Queensland.

[@nathanbellamy7870]

My absolute fav as a kid. Unfortunately badly influenced me to be a greedy player who always tried to chip or grub and run when I should of passed haha. He's a great.

[@troystaunton254]

What’s wild is this skips over his entire 1996 series which he scored in, and it also doesn’t include the 1997 super league tri series. So there’s 6 whole games 2 tries at least he scored for Queensland that aren’t included in this video. It could be longer.

[@monashsq4001]

Alfie is the greatest ever, best debut at origin ever blew sterlo of the park, johns was OK, but always injured or head in wrong place in comparison Alfie one injury a broken leg vs nz, game after game he played great. I have Alfie 1 Thurston 2 johns 3 as best half backs.

[@troystaunton254]

4:32 seriously that’s my favourite origin try ever.

[@poxmanful]

They said he was to small to play origin but he did anyways they changed rules to stop him stealing the ball and stop doing his trip tackle and he still blew them away ,when he came back from england to play origin they said to old to small to slow ....a hasbeen but he ran rings around them from stirling to kimmorley to johns and stuart they couldnt stop him .Shame he hasnt gotten the accolades he deserves

[@brettwinter7127]

Best number 7 ever most premiership wins and rep wins too

[@juniortonykapil3461]

well said, little general always does what he can for his one and only state (Qld) and color (Maroons). He's the always be reckoned in rugby leagu history.

[@thebrownchef]

"The little fella's gone in and Lewis has gone mad!"

[@TheHearsz]

Origin 3, 2011: Johns in his prime against Langer in the twilight of his origin career, and Alfie completely outplayed him!!! Should be no surprise really...

[@RooForce]

So we can watch all this and accept Johns being made an Immortal? Always in Langer's shadow, apart from those other considerations....

[@jordanmahony4268]

RooForce meninga or provan should have gotten it instead of johns

[@nobletenshi7659]

Exactly that. Langer always picked for Australia over Johns, except for one time i remember, they picked Johns to play the Anzac test against Newzeland and lost badly. It was more laughable because at the time it was practically the warriors side that was coming last on the competition ladder too.

[@matonatomic]

Corect me if I'm wrong but at their peaks it was usually Langer v's Stewart for the Aust. half-back position. Johns came a little after Langer (8 years difference in age)

[@Zmart30]

RooForce yes because Johns is better, simple

[@Zmart30]

benicecunt o.k. Langer couldn’t kick goals from the sideline to win games, langer couldn’t smash front rowers on their ass, langers passing and kicking game is not on joeys level. There’s a reason Joey is halfback of the century & an immortal and langer isn’t

[@manejap5]

a real legend at work

[@jimbob1427]

best short kicking game eva !!

[@karenpaties7386]

Never took his eye off the ball. Legend If you want a good laugh, watch the subtitles - bloody hilarious.

[@kneegrowsmell2281]

The undisputed GOAT halfback. It's a shame that since QLD has started dominating NSW in state of origin, NSW media has felt compelled to shove 'Joey is the GOAT' down our throats in an attempt to gain some, any interest in the game down there.

[@dazhwood]

Now THAT is what a scrum half should be like…… R.I.P the old style 7 🥹

[@kneegrowsmell2281]

7:44 - But Joey is a great defender!!! LOLOLOLOL

[@paully6996]

Fuck l met Langer and he is so small the way he use to play makes me think wat guts he has wat a little legend!!

[@lift4life332]

One of the greatest ever!

[@danstenmou9913]

Year 2001 when Langer was brought back to play in the decider by Bennett, that year cement his place in the immortal ranks of the Australia Rugby League. He outplayed Andrew John's from the get go and yet John's was inducted as an immortal and Langer was not even nominated or listed in the last selection. Was it because he on the wrong side of the boarder. Come on NRL do the right thing, there are a lot of guys from Queensland (players) who had dominated the game in the last ten years and they too deserved that recognition from the organisation just like Langer. I believe NBA Hall of Fame of USA Basketball is fair to its players than the NRL which only promotes NSW players.

[@ls1hinchy546]

I was 20yrs old that year and at that game sitting behind the QLD residents team(intrust cup QLD) in the front row right whe alfie scored(6:30) and yeah alfie killed joey

[@ls1hinchy546]

Correction lol- fittler and kimmorley were NSW halves for game 3- but alfie did outplay joey at rep level

[@troystaunton254]

He tore it apart that night. But Joey didn’t play origin that year. He’d have changed nothing but wasn’t to blame.

[@clairehabib5915]

johns didnt even play the 2001 series ya liar,also ya shitty mate alf got dropped after first test on 90 and 94 tours due to loss, ricky was better than alf, joey left him for dead, keep up the bs stories but

[@clairehabib5915]

@@ls1hinchy546 how? 96 nsw 3-0, 98 qld 2-1, 02 drawn series, only years they played with joey man of the series in 96, so where was joey outplayed, 5-3 joey with a draw, do some research

[@johnnathan8108]

Legend mate

[@QLDER1973]

Absolutely shits on joey johns from a great height

[@truckeemick2486]

Christian Cullen, the Paekakriki Express and former AB, reminds me of Alfie when he is on the run with the ball or running in support.

[@QLDER1973]

Johns' origin highlights would take up about 1:30. 20 seconds of that would be taken up NY Jamie Goddard knocking him on his over rated arse. Fact

[@CaptainChurrr]

+QLDER1973 johns only has the 2005 series and the series when good ol' jamie goddard knocked his ass out cold.

[@mdjcsmith]

That second try is one of the most intelligent origin tries of all time

[@aldoggcairns]

i met alfie a few years ago and he was shouting me drinks all night here is my childhood hero and he is buying me drinks

[@jimihendrixx11]

His step beating mattie Johns & Fittler. + his other pass where he beat half the team with one move. Cant really contain him.

[@troystaunton254]

And all within 5 square meters

[@MrNonnel]

A legend , the best in my opinion

[@CaptainChurrr]

dane carlaw was a beast

[@joshturner4602]

Never seen a short kicking game like it.

[@777Psychodelia]

Never took his eyes off the ball. Should be a statue of him outside Lang Park along with the other lads. When he hung up his boots one of my friends sent me a sympathy card cos she knew I was shattered.

[@heraay]

The best among the best

[@superman01011]

As an opposition fan you hated Langer as a player. Now that he is well and truly retired I have nothing but respect for what he did and how he played.

[@theguywhoisaustralian1465]

And he never left....

[@kneegrowsmell2281]

The undisputed GOAT halfback.

[@danstenmou9913]

He deserves to be immortalised, they did it for Andrew Johns whom Langer out played in 2001 State of Origin game 3, also won only 1 Premiership. Langer achieved everything the ARL and NRL could offer. His impact was so great that rules were changed because of Langers brilliance in the field. Also every Maroons player wants to play like him. Give the guy the recognition he deserves.

[@haydencassidy9536]

No bro

[@ls1hinchy546]

Lol I was drinking wild turkey that night at the game but remembering freddy fittler brett kimmorley as the NSW halves- joey couldn't even get picked or maybe was injured

[@troystaunton254]

@@ls1hinchy546Joey was injured in 01. Alfie dominated him in 98 and 02. Facing off as opposing 7s Alfie has a 3-2-1 record against johns. 3 wins 2 losses and a draw.

[@ls1hinchy546]

@@troystaunton254 yep like I said "drunk on wild turkey but still remember" Freddy and kimmorley were the halves "not Joey", he couldn't get "picked or was injured" obviously was injured from rd11 to rd18(origin time) then came back & led the knights to the 2001 GF win over the eels... but anyway Alfie is better IMO

[@GoddyofWar]

HAHA Tallis giving it to the Blues fans, legend

[@sahulianhooligan7046]

Any highlights of his tripping tackles?

[@samg8572]

Well he wasn't tall enough to tackle them above the ankles

[@alanchong7513]

Alfie Langer is the greatest halfback of all time. Thurston probably 2nd. Johns is not close.

[@jonnies]

The fact that you feel instantly obligated to justify Langer in relation to Johns says a lot about the latter. Langer was great, but lets face it, Johns was the greatest.

[@jonnies]

That's cute, Mr Armchair Warrior. I think you should stick to doing what you do best, couch potatoing, instead of commenting on the manhood of others.

[@2LegHumanist]

jonnies Oh I'm the armchair warrior? I suppose you're tapping this into your phone from the comfort of the dressing room at Suncorp stadium right now LMAO.

[@2LegHumanist]

jonnies Sure you weren't. Keep the fantasy flowing loser.

[@777Psychodelia]

Alan Chong Why is there not a statue of him at the Cauldron with Wally, Mal, Artie and Darren? They wouldn't even need to use much metal - he is so little. Great stuff in a small package.

[@777Psychodelia]

Yeah baby! Alfie was awesome - that try on his back after his come-back from England - can't understand why his statue isn't alongside The Kings and Darren Lockyer's - suck it up Andrew Johns - and he is still as fit as - as the 14th man out there with the water bottle!

[@poitty1978]

@docgonzales And how many did the Broncos have? in 1992 they Broncos had 9 internationals and 16 state of origin reps. Langer is the best ever half back and he got better with age it shows by having 4 premierships as captain. Being 165cm tall and 70kgs he held his own stuart hid in defense where Lager tackled the props head on and won. With Langer being so dominant the powers that be in the NSWRL changed 2 rules to try and stop him the strip rule and the art of tackling

[@lukesymons6034]

I was waiting in the local iga line n I couldn't help but notice this fella in front of me with massive legs. Alfie only looks small when out beside 6 foot 7 dudes weighing 120 kg lol

[@jettm23]

This is sped up right?

[@H0tchips]

LOL. Damn straight mate. 8 in a row this year. Hopefully we can beat Brockie's 9 Bathurst wins with 10 straight Origin wins.

[@richthomas2130]

we all have our biases of course. For me though, NO ONE was as good as alfie at the short passing and short kicking game. I would pick alfie close to a try line over almost anyone with the right team around him. Of course

[@TheOneZiggy]

@Guildtank Not in a "Technically he's better because he scores more points" kind of way but IMO Andrew Johns had an almost perfect technique to his game, his kicking game was sublime. But Alfie Langer had that natural style to his game where he just knew where and when to go. I never said that Andrew Johns was the best player of all time because you can't really say that about any player.

[@DustyElephant]

Yep he is

[@gxl40]

just seem like yesterday

[@poxmanful]

mate i would go as far as saying the moment he got of the plane.I remember the NSW press dogs saying at the time "to old,to slow,to small".His response was "i didnt come all this way to lose".

[@shanewilson398]

Dwayne Morgan I was working in London at the time with three young nsw fellas and they were laughing their heads off. All I said was that you can’t discount a legend... they were very quiet the next day.

[@RooForce]

Johns the halfback of the century? By NSW judges maybe, but find me some footage where he fools Langer as many times as Langer fools him in this collection. Thanks for posting.

[@docgonzales]

Twice Ricky Stuart and Allan Langer went to England with the Kangaroos and twice Langer started and twice they lost. Ricky Stuart controlled the team for the other four games for four wins. Ricky Stuart started for the blues 1990-1994, the blues winning four series in a row. Before the superleague fiasco, Ricky had 3 premierships to Langers 1, coincidentally the year Stuart broke his ankle a game away from the finals. Langer was better at beating the man one on one, and thats about it.

[@matonatomic]

Too many people compare Langer to Johns; but the reality is that Johns was another generation younger. It was Langer and Stuart that fought to be the best 7. Both had contrasting stiles... Stuart was an organiser - Langer, played more to 'situations'. A little like Cronk v's Thurston more recently. Johns - he had both...

[@soulthief1977]

How easy would it have been to be the QLD coach in that last game with Allan Langer and Darren Lockyer in the same team?

[@waynemarchel9667]

Sterling,Alf,Mortimer,JT, Johns,in that order are the five best halfs!! Cleary,toovey,Stewart are next

[@KiatHuang]

"Langerhans. He's able to run one way and kick the Utah". Classic.

[@davesmith4017]

King'll pick The Alf up here! You ripper!

[@colbran]

@RagingUtai He's definitely right up there

[@moisesl2326]

i can't stop repeating 7:33

[@RooForce]

And you are not wrong.

[@nickrunaway2]

what about locky?

[@Michael-dr6ot]

2:23 can it still be done?

[@troystaunton254]

No it was changed in 2000. I thought it was outlawed before that. But Michael handcock did it in the 2000 grand final.

[@Popsumpot]

It's really hard to say who's better than who when you get up to that level, they're all in the stratosphere. I mean, I reckon Lockyer is the best player, but if you wanna put up names like Wally, Alfie and Joey, how do you argue, they're just too good for someone like us to really know. In the end, I reckon the best of the best are all pretty close.

[@matonatomic]

Most of them have all spoke now: Cam Smith is the best that all of them have ever seen.

[@docgonzales]

@poxmanful Ran rings around stuart? Ricky started 14 games against langer in state of origin and won 9. They met once in the semis , raiders snotted the broncos by 30 points.

[@HyperHorse]

Why is Andrew Johns an immortal and not Alfie Langer?!

[@rewster7]

no, I'm not Andrew Johns ;)

[@RooForce]

Was there ever a game when Johns had the wood on Langer? I certainly can't remember one at Origin level. But I suppose if you're a New South Welshman and you have the likes of Roy Masters boosting for you, you'll get Immortal status well ahead of about 50 players from NSW and Qld who deserve it more than you do. Alfie, Wally, Daylight.

[@JMMM1986]

Delusional to think Langer was better...stop ranting on you tube videos you bellend

[@tylor020499]

Allan Langer dominated origin just as much as wally did in my opinion.

[@jimihendrixx11]

Last great player that I saw. An Enigma

[@StFidjnr]

in 2001 the maroons need someone to come back and that someone is alfie langer

[@RooForce]

Amen. Giving Johns 'Immortal' status cheapened it forever. I don't care whom they give it to in future, because it is now meaningless. I could easily name at least a dozen players from within my lifetime, from NSW and from Qld, who are more deserving of that honour.

[@nobletenshi7659]

I know right... Dont start start me on how pissed I was cause they gave the last one to mal meninga over Lockyer. Mal was good for his time, He was teh Australian captain, But he wasnt that special. He never produced the magic lockyer brought to the game, especially the big plays when it matter the most. Match winning moments. Lockyers been one of the best captains Australia and QLD have had. Well arguable between him and Smith now. Smith is still playing the game, so Lockyer should of been the immortal.

[@Zmart30]

RooForce bullshit

[@jordanmahony4268]

god the blues loved to push alfie out of the way when he kicked the ball

[@Hieto08]

2 people are sitting there blue in the face.

[@redeemedfarmer2670]

What a great player……and no “nrl” recognition,,,,,,if he was nsw and drug cheat he would have been an immortal

[@dennisbarber6260]

LEGEND 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@dwaynebuddha]

@luke231089 yea johns was givin a lot of accolades ....by NSW judges