Slipper announces retirement from Test rugby as O’Connor dropped

6 days ago 4

The Wallabies’ most capped player, James Slipper, will play his last Test on Saturday.

Rugby Australia announced on Wednesday that Slipper will bow out of Test rugby after this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match in Perth.

After bringing up his 150th Test last week in Australia’s loss to the All Blacks, Slipper will draw the curtain on a decorated career that began in 2010. Slipper will still play for the Brumbies in next year’s Super Rugby season.

“Representing the Wallabies has been the single proudest achievement of my rugby career and a privilege I have never taken for granted,” Slipper said in a statement.

“As a young kid on the Gold Coast playing backyard footy with my brothers, it was a dream to pull on the gold jersey, and to be able to say I’ve lived my dream for what’s coming on 16 years is more than I could ever have asked for.

“It feels like the right time for me to step away from Test rugby. 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.

Australian veteran James Slipper will play his final Test on Saturday.

“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.

“There’s plenty of people I need to thank, and I’ll do that when the time is right, but for now, my focus is on preparing well to finish The Rugby Championship in a positive manner with the team.”

After playing in the Wallabies’ loss at Eden Park, Slipper revealed it had been his last Test at Eden Park, and he would be retiring from international rugby this year.

The 36-year-old is the first Australian to reach the 150-game milestone, and just the third player ever, along with New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock and Wales’ Alun Wyn-Jones.

James Slipper takes on the All Blacks in his 150th Test at Eden Park on Saturday.

“The boys got around it during the week, and the fact that no one’s done it before in Australia made it a little bit more special, for lack of a better word,” he said.

“I had a video message from both Sam Whitelock and Alun Wyn-Jones; they’re the two players that have played over 150 games. That was really special. Lots of family and friends. Video message from back home, my daughters. It was a bit personal. It was a really good touch. It wasn’t over the top this week, which is nice. I’ve had worse weeks, put it that way.”

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said in a statement: “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.

“Everyone in Australian rugby will be cheering James on for his final Test match and looking forward to 2026 when he proudly pulls on the Brumbies jersey once again.”

Meanwhile, Tane Edmed is set to replace James O’Connor at No.10 against the All Blacks.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of discussions said O’Connor will come off the bench.

Edmed was named on the bench last week but didn’t get on the field. He started against the Pumas in Sydney but did not have a great game.

More to come