Reports surfaced on Saturday that Langer was considering retirement, with the former Test captain stating outright that it looked likely he would retire after discussing his future with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett this week.

Despite his diminutive physical stature, Langer was one of the few true champions Rugby League has produced in the past 15 years. Captain of four premierships for Brisbane in 1992, 1993, 1997 and 1998, and involved in numerous State of Origin, World Cup and Test victories during a 15-year career that spanned 258 first grade games and 100 tries. Langer became the most capped Queensland player ahead of Mal Meninga during the 2002 series, and he captained his country for the first time during the two end of season tests in 1998 against New Zealand.

Langer burst onto the scene in 1987 when he was chosen as Queensland halfback ahead of Laurie Spina. Then Queensland coach, Bennett felt that the 21-year-old Langer was too small for that level of football and had preferred Spina's selection. However, with the support of senior Queensland players Paul Vautin and Wally Lewis, Langer excelled, helping Queensland to a 2-1 series victory and being a part of consecutive 3-0 whitewashes as the Maroons entered their most dominant period.

However, Langer was never far from controversy. His tackling style, similar to the cumberland throw in which he used his legs to tip larger opponents over, caused the most anger amongst opposition fans and league officials, twice forcing rule changes that nullified his effectiveness. He also inspired the outlawing of the stripping rule in the early 1990s, so effective he was at pinching the ball from opposition grasps.

An eccentric character with a mischievious sense of humour, Langer also suffered from misinterpretation and overexposure from the media. The most controversial incident was his infamous "St George can't play" outburst after the 1993 Grand Final triumph over the Dragons.

However, those that know Langer realise he never said anything negative in seriousness. He was a joker of the highest order, a lovable larrikin who would inspire his teammates with a laugh as much as his incredible ability to create something from nothing on the field. His combination with long time friend, Kevin Walters, was also a defining factor in Langer's career, again on and off the field. The two combined for some of the more notorious practical jokes during Kangaroo Tours in 1990 and 1994.

It was these tours that shape as Langer's only serious disappointment in a career choc full of highlights. In both the 1990 and 1994 series, Langer lost his place in the Test side to Canberra's Ricky Stuart after shock defeats at Wembley Stadium. Langer invariably fought back to regain his place, either through injury or lack of form from Stuart in the subsequent season. His inability to truly succeed on a Kangaroo Tour, seen by many as the true test of an international, was his only failure.

After the 199 season in which he achieved everything there was to achieve - captaining premiership, State of Origin and Test series winning teams - Langer, and the rest of the champion Broncos team, had a disastrous start to their 1999 campaign. The Broncos lost six and drew one of their first eight matches to be stone cold last. Langer, disheartened and frustrated, felt it was time to give the game away and, on an emotional April morning, he retired from Rugby League.

However, as the Broncos climbed back from the brink to miraculously qualify for the finals, Langer realised he had made a mistake. Not wanting to go back on his retirement with the Broncos and thus give credence to some of the ludicrous rumours that surrounded his demise, Langer was given a lifeline by Warrington Wolves coach Darryl van de Velde. Langer spent two seasons with the Wolves, who struggled to make any headway in the ever increasing competitiveness of the English Super League.

Langer's biggest impact during that stint was his miraculous return to State of Origin, recalled by Bennett in the face of an overwhelming injury toll to Queensland's halves playing stocks. Langer returned to the scene of many of his accomplishments, ANZ Stadium, to inspire Queensland to a 40-14 series deciding triumph in front of 50000 delirious home fans. The greatest cheer of all came when the little general himself crossed for a try in the second half, the roar almost enough to lift the roof off the stadium. It was arguably the most magic moment in Origin history.

Returning to England, Langer suffered with a chronic ankle injury, eventually retiring from the game again. He returned to Brisbane to take up an administrative role with the Broncos.

However, as injuries to Scott Prince and Ben Ikin continued to trouble Bennett, he sent out the call to Langer to play one last hurrah. Deciding in late January to play again, Langer was an inspiration for the Broncos in 2002, guiding them to a top 4 finish and guiding Queensland to a heart stopping drawn State of Origin series which was good enough to retain the title. Sadly, Langer's hopes of a dream premiership farewell fell just four points short, an errant pass sending Brett Mullins away during Brisbane's 16-12 Preliminary Final defeat at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.

From that point, Langer was noncommittal about his future. However, today he made up his mind. He will not be back in Broncos colours next season. With Scott Prince and Ben Ikin all but recovered, and Shaun Berrigan, Casey McGuire and Brett Seymour more than capable up and comers, Langer felt it best to give way to the new breed.

But the champion halfback will not be lost to the Broncos completely. He will take up a position as the Broncos' team manager, a position still vacant after the required shuffling with the loss of assistant coach Craig Bellamy to Melbourne. The larrikin will still be around to gee his mates up, to fire them up to succeed, to strive to prove his lighthearted jibes wrong.

After two encores, the final curtain has drawn on the rugby league career of Allan Langer - or has it? One can never be sure!