Banned for doping? Welcome to the Brumbies
TRANSFER NEWS: The Brumbies have signed 86-times capped Wallabies prop James Slipper on a two-year deal commencing with the 2019 Super Rugby season.
Slipper made his debut for both franchise and country in 2010 and took no time in establishing himself as one of the best props in the world. Ferocious at scrum-time, with superb skills in the loose, and capable at either loose or tight head, Slipper is the quintessential modern front-rower.
Having played all his 104 Super Rugby games with the Reds, Slipper makes the move to Canberra looking to rekindle the form which made him one of the Australia’s best performers, aiming to return to the top following his two-month ban for violating Rugby Australia’s illicit drugs policy.
“The Brumbies have always had a long history of making players better through their program, so to get a chance to be a part of that is very exciting and something I am looking forward to,” Slipper commented.
“When I spoke with Dan [McKellar] about 2019 and beyond I was very impressed and cannot thank both him and the Brumbies organisation enough for the opportunity to take my rugby career forward with them.”
The Southport School product made his much-publicised return to rugby during the Wallabies pre-Bledisloe Super Rugby trial, where he impressed many with his work rate and desire in defence.
Slipper has brought that demeanour into the National Rugby Championship [NRC], playing a key-role in Queensland Country’s impressive start to their title defence, putting in a brilliant man-of-the-match performance against the Canberra Vikings at Viking Park.
The versatile front-row was superb when Vikings met Queensland in the opening round of the NRC and will join what is an already strong stock of Brumbies props for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
“We are excited to have a player of the calibre of James joining the Brumbies,” Head coach Dan McKellar commented.
“When performing at his best James is a quality international prop. He brings very good set piece, physicality and raw aggression which are all qualities we look for in our front rowers. Clearly after playing over 80 tests and more than 100 Super Rugby games he offers enormous experience to the group.
“We also understand that the last 12 months have been a challenging time for James and his family. However, following several meetings and discussions with James it is clear he is in now in a very good head space and is highly motivated to get back to professional rugby and prove a point.
“We believe that James will benefit from being a part of the Brumbies culture and environment and receive the support he needs to succeed. Something the Brumbies have always done is provide people with opportunity and we feel that this is what we are offering James – an opportunity to get his career back on track and improve and grow as a player and a person.”
The signing of Slipper adds to a Brumbies recruiting-list which includes Pete Samu, Toni Pulu, Irae Simone, Murray Douglas and Tom Wright, not to mention the host of Brumbies Academy players who have signed their first professional deals with the team.
