The Prenter Report #1

The omission of Graeme Langlands from “The Team of the Century” run-on side will stir emotions.

The fact Langlands, a fullback of extraordinary talent,  has been named as a reserve is, to me, more of an insult than a compliment.

Langlands excelled on every stage the game is played, from club to Test, from state to World Cups.

He was class with a capital “c.”

Langlands remains one of the greatest drawcards in the game’s history. His side-step is folklore.

His courage had no peer.

Name me something Langlands could not achieve on a football field?

Struggling?

He had it all plus some and should have been a shoe-in.

His combination with the greatest of them all”-Reg Gasnier, was copy for a blockbuster film.

Who could have blamed Gasnier for what was interpreted by some as  an inappropriate comment when, at the naming of  The Team of the Century, he remarked: “I wish Graeme was here with me.”

Langlands thrived on international competition.

His sniffing out of a gap that ultimately led to a try was legendary, especially at World Cup level.

I spoke to him about the hottest contest for  World Cup spots this year.

The fullback spot.

Billy Slater or Brett Stewart?

“I prefer Slater,” he answered.

“He has incredible pace and can find the holes better than anyone else. He is always looking to stretch a defence.

“Stewart is also outstanding and nobody knows the way to a try-line better but I believe Slater is still improving and by the time of the World Cup will be in a class of his own.”

If I may digress for a moment.

The selection of Andrew Johns as halfback in “The Team of the Century” will provide fodder for pub and club exchanges.

There are those who will condemn the selectors for the glorification of drug use.

But, a sobering thought in relation to this wonderfully gifted player.

Andrew Johns disappointed thousands, countless thousands of fans, for his self confessed drug abuse.

He harmed only one.

By Geoff Prenter