Evergreen Wallabies prop James Slipper says he will put his hand up to play at a record fifth Rugby World Cup in Australia next year, but only if he earns selection and is the best option for the team.
Oh, and there is one other proviso: there can be no more retirement parties.
“The thought of making everyone go through that send-off again sits uneasily with me,” Slipper says. “If I do come back and manage to play another game, I definitely do not want another send-off. I have had my turn.”
Slipper, the most-capped Wallaby player in history with 151 Tests, is set to extend his record by at least a few more games after re-joining the Wallabies this week in camp, ahead of Tests against Ireland, France and Italy in July.
As revealed by this masthead last week, Slipper’s return to the Wallabies squad has seen him reverse his decision to retire from international rugby last year, which saw the veteran front-rower tunnelled off by both teams amid great fanfare – and embarrassment for Slipper – after a Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth in October.
Slipper didn’t hang the boots up entirely, though. He played on for the Brumbies this season (becoming the most-capped Super Rugby player as well) and it didn’t take long before Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt asked in one of their regular phone chats: “Are you sure you’re retired?”
“With how the year has panned out, there have been a few injuries on the loose-head side throughout the season,” Slipper said.
“It wasn’t until Belly [Angus Bell] went down during the year that my interest in coming back was sparked.
“We stayed in contact for the rest of the year. It wasn’t necessarily decided from the first phone call that I was definitely returning; it was more of a to and fro.
“I hold that gold jersey in high regard. If I can help in any way, I will put my hand up.
“My wife was happy with the decision [to retire] at the time. I was planning on having a couple of months off after the season, but things have changed.
“I had to think about it a fair bit and win over a few people at home, but they have been really supportive. It wasn’t just one discussion; it was about four or five where they were keeping tabs on how I was going, how I was playing, and how I was feeling.
“It came down to the fact that I surprised myself with how well I played this year. I know I am not the best prop running around, but I still felt I was moving well. I did not set out at the start of the year to make another Wallabies squad.”
Slipper confirmed he is also negotiating with the Brumbies and RA about playing on into next year, which would open the door for the 37-year-old to play at a fifth Rugby World Cup. No Australian has ever played at five World Cups, and only three people from any nation have achieved the feat.
Asked if he would be keen to play in the 2027 tournament, Slipper said he was interested – but doesn’t want to be presumptuous and will instead focus on earning selection.
“It is similar to this year; I have put myself in a position where I feel I have played well enough to still contribute to the Wallabies,” Slipper said.
“Even when I retired, I did so with the team in mind. If there is a reason for me to be available for the World Cup, I will put my hand up. But a couple of things need to happen: I need to earn it, I need to be playing well, and I must be a better option than the other loose-heads in the country at the time.
“At no stage am I sitting here thinking I am a certainty for the World Cup. If I am still playing for the Brumbies and the team needs me, I will put my hand up for the World Cup. I have always wanted to put the Wallaby jersey first. Whatever is best for that jersey dictates my decision.”
Slipper has been turning up Wallabies camps for 16 years, but he said his return this week “genuinely felt as though it was my first day of school again”.
The Wallabies calling on a 37-year-old has drawn criticism for a failure to prepare younger players to fill the void. Slipper says he understands the theory but that the best possible team should be sent out for battle to win a Rugby World Cup.
“It all comes down to performance. Age is irrelevant at a World Cup,” he said. “If you look at the South Africans, they have plenty of players aged 35 and older. Sometimes experience gets overlooked here in Australia. But you still have to earn your spot.”
Slipper admitted he is uneasy in the spotlight, which has fallen on him a lot recently as his longevity has seen him pass multiple milestones and records. The good news?
“I don’t think there’s too many … like, left.”
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Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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