A damning statistic in last Sunday’s 23-point defeat against England laid bare the Wallabies’ lack of muscle in the forwards: the 73 metres from 22 carries by England No. 8 Ben Earl was nearly as much as the cumulative total of the entire starting Australian pack, which managed 83.
Les Kiss could have been forgiven for casting a rueful eye in the direction of Langi Gleeson this week. The powerful back-rower added starch to the Wallabies pack in wins over the British & Irish Lions and South Africa last year before heading overseas to join Montpellier.
According to informed sources, Rugby Australia want Gleeson to return home after his contract expires next June, but Gleeson knows he needs to deliver on the field before planning his future ahead of next year’s World Cup.
The 25-year-old is on the comeback trail after a nightmare nine months recovering from an ACL injury. Since joining the French giants last October, Gleeson has only played two games, after battling a heel problem then damaging his ACL in January. Making his first start for Montpellier, on a muddy field in Wales against the Ospreys, Gleeson lasted just 20 minutes after an opponent awkwardly landed on his knee during a routine tackle.
Gleeson had surgery but, speaking only limited French and with his circle of family and friends from Sydney’s northern beaches thousands of miles away, struggled when it came to the lonely hours of rehabilitation.
“I was lucky to have my partner over from last Christmas in Montpellier because as soon as I got injured I was basically useless,” Gleeson said.
“She was cooking, cleaning, doing everything, while I was on the bed the whole time. I think if I didn’t have anyone here I don’t know how I would have survived, to be honest. In Australia you’ve got family and stuff that look after you …
“It’s been one of the toughest parts of my life because when you come into a new team and you want to earn the respect of the boys and you get injured … now you’re just watching them from the sideline.”
For the past nine months Gleeson has arrived early at Montpellier’s training base and worked on his rehabilitation in a separate area away from the main team, which includes fellow Australians Tom Banks and Jordan Uelese. The back-rower loves the history and architecture of his new home town in France but his day job has become tougher than ever.
“It does get lonely when you’re in the gym and you’re watching the boys train and doing all these things that you wish you could do on the field,” he said. “It’s a bit depressing but I knew my time would come. I just keep putting my head down, keep working. Nothing lasts forever.”
Gleeson’s game is built on explosive ball-carrying and breaking the gain line. He is back in training and building strength in his left knee, and hopes to get back on the field in December.
After surgery Gleeson had to teach himself how to run again, and has been working hard to regain his fitness. The days are long and the training is tough but he is in a far happier place.
“The training might be difficult but trust me, it’s better than sitting at home with a fat knee watching French TV where you don’t know what’s going on,” Gleeson said.
Gleeson remains open-minded about returning to Australia and is still motivated to play for the Wallabies. He knows he needs to get back on the field to prove – not only to his club but to himself – that he can regain the speed that made him a standout for club and country last year.
“With all my conversations with my manager, everything is just waiting until I get on the field and start playing because the main thing is I’m here to play,” Gleeson said. “I just feel like I owe it to Montpellier as well. I’ve missed a big chunk of time here.
“I was talking to my partner the other day, [asking] ‘Do I regret coming here or should I have stayed in Australia?’
“I believe that when you make your bed, you lie in it – and I’m still happy I made this decision to come here.”
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