UPDATE: Wallabies games record-holder James Slipper has just announced his retirement from international rugby, set to culminate in a dramatic farewell during the Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand this Saturday night in Perth. The 36-year-old prop will conclude his illustrious career on the field where it all began, marking a poignant moment for Australian rugby fans.
In a career spanning over 16 years, Slipper made history by becoming one of only three players to achieve 150 Tests, joining legends Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Whitelock. His final appearance comes after his participation in last week’s 33-24 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland, a fitting end to a remarkable journey that began when he debuted against England at Subiaco Oval in 2010.
Despite stepping away from international duties, Slipper will continue to play for 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 shared. He emphasized the importance of giving younger players a chance to shine ahead of the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The emotional weight of this decision is clear. “As a young kid on the Gold Coast, it was a dream to pull on the gold jersey,” he reflected, acknowledging the sacrifices made for his family. Slipper’s retirement marks the end of an era, as he is not just the most-capped Wallaby but also the most-capped international Test prop, surpassing Cian Healy by 14 caps.
Slipper’s remarkable achievements include becoming the fifth Wallaby to participate in two separate British and Irish Lions series. His records are as follows:
- Most-capped Wallaby of all time: 150 Tests
- Most Rugby World Cup match appearances: 21 Tests
- Equal most Rugby World Cups attended: four
- Most-capped Australian Super Rugby player: 198 matches
In a statement, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt praised Slipper’s character, stating, “First and foremost, Slips is a great person. He’s incredibly popular in the group and is the ultimate team man.” Former Wallabies star and current Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh echoed these sentiments, highlighting Slipper’s durability and professional dedication as key to his legendary status in the sport.
Fans around the world are gearing up for a historic closing chapter as Slipper takes the field for one last time. As the Wallabies prepare for the Bledisloe Cup, all eyes will be on the pitch in Perth, where Slipper will leave an indelible mark on Australian rugby history.
Stay tuned for further developments as the match approaches, and join the discussion on social media as fans share their tributes to this rugby icon.
