The Wallabies desperately need more power. A missing weapon is nearing his return

Detailed summary

Les Kiss’ team was exposed up front against England. In France, back-rower Langi Gleeson is closing in on a return after nine months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

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…

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