By Jon Geddes

HE is the rising star who was lost to rugby and has returned to make a huge impact for the revitalised Manly Marlins in their Shute Shield campaign.

Twenty-year-old backrower Langi Gleeson has hit a purple patch of form, with a standout display in Manly’s 19-17 win over arch-rivals Warringah in the battle of the beaches and then backing that up with a three-try man of the match performance in last Saturday’s 34-32 win over premiership heavyweights Norths at Manly Oval.

The former Junior Wallaby is a Harbord Harlequins junior, who like so many promising young rugby players made the big switch to rugby league and had a season with the South Sydney Rabbitohs Under 20s after finishing school.