FROM tripping around the world, stylish centre Sam Langford is about to get the harshest possible Group Nine homecoming.
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Only a week after ending a lengthy overseas odyssey, Langford has been rushed into the Young team to play rampaging Gundagai at Keith Cullen Oval on Sunday.
Langford was originally named on Young’s extended bench for the blockbuster, but the plan is now for him to partner Kiwi Pene Webber in the centres from the start.
Young captain-coach Neil Thorman said that Langford’s return to Young was a massive late-season bonus.
Thorman, who will play on Sunday following a four-week suspension, said Langford could have easily been playing at another club.
“Sam was thinking about signing with Queanbeyan (Blues), but decided to stick with the Pickers,” Thorman said. “Obviously he’s a very handy player and we’re pleased he’s here.”
A local product, Langford had several successful seasons in first grade before splitting with the club a year ago.
Although he only jetted in late last week, Langford still made a cameo appearance in reserve grade against Kangaroos at Alfred Oval on Sunday.
Thorman said Langford had “some good touches” and more than showed he was ready to play a part in Young’s push for their first premiership title since 1991.
“So he’ll (Langford) start and Boyd Strickland will go back to the second row,” Thorman said.
“This means we’ll have more to offer off the bench.”
For Thorman, Sunday’s duel with the Tigers will be the acid test of character for his team.
The Englishman believes Gundagai is “the best team in the league” and the yardstick for other contenders.
Even so, he is optimistic Young is perfectly placed to take the “fight” to the Tigers.
“We’re a more complete team than we’ve been,” Thorman said.
“Our backs are having the same impact as our forwards.
“I think we offer so much more across the board.
“Both of our wingers have scored 10 tries each this year.”
Significantly, Thorman has played only once against Gundagai since arriving from England at the start of 2015, copping a 44-16 hiding from the Tigers on August 9.
Equally, Thorman has a rigid game-plan set he hopes can take the sting out of the free-scoring Tigers.
“We can’t afford to give them (Gundagai) cheap possession or cheap repeat sets on our line,” he said.
“I’ve told the boys this will be our toughest game to date and it is important we keep it simple and don’t make mistakes.”
Thorman will play at five-eighth, with Gundagai captain-coach James Smart slotting in at halfback for the Tigers following a week off.
Due to heavy state of Alfred Oval, the game has been shifted to nearby Keith Cullen Oval.