James Slipper, the Wallabies’ games record-holder, has announced his retirement from international rugby. The 36-year-old will conclude his illustrious career during the highly anticipated Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand in Perth on Saturday night. Slipper, who became only the third player to reach 150 Tests alongside Welsh great Alun Wyn Jones and New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock, capped his career last week in a challenging 33-24 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland.
A Fitting Conclusion in Perth
Slipper’s Test career will fittingly end where it began, in Perth. He made his debut at the age of 21, coming off the bench as Wallaby No.843 against England at Subiaco Oval in 2010. Despite stepping away from international play, Slipper will continue to compete with the Brumbies in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“It feels like the right time for me to step away from Test Rugby,” Slipper stated. “There’s a number of good young props coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what’s going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027. It will also allow me to spend more quality time with my wife Kara and two young daughters, Lily and Ava, which is something that I owe to them after 16 years of full-time professional rugby.”
Remarkable Achievements and Legacy
This year, Slipper became just the fifth Wallaby in 126 years to participate in two separate British and Irish Lions series, joining the ranks of John Thornett, Peter Johnson, Tony Miller, and George Smith. Slipper holds the record for the most Test caps by an Australian, and he is the most-capped international Test prop in history, currently 14 ahead of Ireland’s Cian Healy.
Throughout his career, Slipper has been a key figure for the Wallabies, serving as their 83rd Test captain in 2015 and leading the team on 15 occasions. Additionally, he is among only three Wallabies to have participated in four different Rugby World Cups, alongside George Gregan and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who is also set to depart following the Bledisloe Cup match, praised Slipper’s impact on the team. “First and foremost, Slips is a great person. He’s incredibly popular in the group and is the ultimate team man. I know how much representing the Wallabies means to him, and his record speaks for itself with the number of milestones he has achieved at the highest level of the game.”
Former Wallabies star and current Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh expressed admiration for Slipper’s contributions, stating, “James has been a remarkable servant of Australian rugby and will go down in history as one of the most durable, dependable, and respected players to ever pull on a Test jersey anywhere in the world. To reach the milestones he has across 16 professional seasons, particularly as a front-rower, is testament to his professionalism and the way he goes about his work.”
Slipper’s remarkable career includes several significant records: he is the most-capped Wallaby of all time with 150 Tests, holds the record for the most Rugby World Cup match appearances by a Wallaby with 21 Tests, and is one of only four players to have attended four Rugby World Cups.
As Slipper prepares to retire from international rugby, his legacy as a dedicated athlete and leader within the sport is firmly established, ensuring his impact will be felt for years to come.
