Wallaby stalwart decides playing future
SPOTLIGHT: Veteran Wallabies prop James Slipper made a call on his playing career.
Slipper on Thursday committed to a 17th season of Super Rugby, with the 37-year-old saying his body “still feels good” as he eyes a fifth World Cup on home soil next year.
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Slipper, who has made more Super Rugby appearances than any other player and is the second most capped international in history, signed a one-year extension with ACT Brumbies.
It will take him through to the end of June next year ahead of the World Cup from October 1, when he will be 38.
“I still love coming in every day and competing with this group,” Slipper said.
“We’ve built something really special at the Brumbies, and I still get a lot of enjoyment out of being part of it.
“The body still feels good, I’m enjoying my footy, and I feel like I’ve still got plenty to contribute, both on the field and around the group.”
Slipper has rewritten the rugby record books in recent times.
He has 212 Super Rugby appearances, 10 more than retired New Zealander Wyatt Crockett, while his 154 Test caps are exceeded only by Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones’s 170.
Slipper came out of international retirement at former coach Joe Schmidt’s request for the Nations Championship in July, but sat out the three subsequent Test wins under new coach Les Kiss.
Slipper was not “shutting the door on his international career” and would be “ready to go if the opportunity arises”, said the Brumbies statement announcing his contract extension.
Slipper could become the first Australian to play at five World Cups, and only the fourth player to achieve the feat, joining Samoa’s Brian Lima and Italy pair Mauro Bergamasco and Sergio Parisse.
“Slips is still playing outstanding rugby. He was one of our most consistent performers throughout 2026, and he’s shown he can continue to make a big impact for this team,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“What he brings away from game day is just as important. He’s an exceptional leader; he drives standards every day, and the knowledge he passes on to our younger players is invaluable.”
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