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After an uncomfortable stint in the limelight last year when he passed George Gregan to become the most capped Wallaby, James Slipper was keen to swiftly fade back into the shadows.
“I don’t like being the centre of attention,” Slipper said.
The problem for Slipper on that front, however, is he continues to be at the centre of all his coaches’ plans, and with no desire to retire yet, has even more milestones looming.
Slipper, 36, is later this month set to become only the second Australian player, after George Smith, to play in two Test series against the Lions – since the 12-year cycle began in 1989. Smith, who played in 2001 and 2013, and Springbok Morne Steyn (2009 and 2021), are the only two to have played in two Test series a dozen years apart.
Pending selection, Slipper will have a chance for redemption after losing the 2013 series to the Lions, where he came off the bench in all three Tests.
Before that, however, Slipper will be busy chasing redemption on a couple of other fronts when he lines up for the Wallabies against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday. In his 144th Test, Slipper will start at loose-head prop at a venue where the Wallabies haven’t won in two visits.
James Slipper has more than one reason to seek redemption against Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
In 2020, they drew 15-all with Argentina, but the more infamous game was in 2012, when Scotland scored a 9-6 win in cyclonic conditions, their first victory in Australia in 30 years.
Slipper is the only survivor from that Tuesday night Test line-up, which also featured the Test debut of Michael Hooper.
But in a fresher redemptive context, perhaps, Slipper is also one of nine survivors from the Wallabies team that was downed by Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. It effectively ended the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign.
Fiji coach Mick Byrne was quick to point out on Friday almost two years have passed since that game and both teams have evolved, but the Fijians have 12 survivors in their 23-man squad from that win, including all but one of their starting forward pack.
The Wallabies come to terms with a shock loss to Scotland in Newcastle in 2012.Credit: Getty Images
The Fijians will have quiet confidence about pulling off another famous victory – their first in Australia since 1954 – so Slipper’s experience will be vital for the Wallabies.
Schmidt said the veteran’s composure is a valuable influence on the whole Wallabies squad.
“His experience, and just his calmness,” Schmidt said on Friday. “Slips is very much about getting his role right and that’s the best way to serve the team.
“So servicing the team through his scrum efforts and his set-piece efforts at lineout, the timing, the movement, the lift. Those things, I think he just demonstrates that if you can get your role right, it ripples through the team, and other guys get brought into the game.”
Fiji’s Temo Mayanavanua celebrates victory over the Wallabies in 2023.Credit: AP
Byrne – the former All Blacks and Wallabies skills coach – said the 2023 win was not hugely relevant to the clash on Sunday, given changes in the Australia environment since, and in his own team.
“The last start was two years ago; it’s different coaching regime, different players on the field,” Byrne said.
“And, you know, I like the way Joe’s got the Wallabies playing, and now they’re playing great footy. They’re a completely different proposition to previous. We’ve got to be ready for that. They’ve got threats across the field.”
After Byrne replaced Simon Raiwalui as coach last year, Fiji posted wins over Georgia, Tonga, Samoa, Japan, USA, Spain and Wales. But they also suffered heavy defeats to the All Blacks, Scotland and Ireland.
With Australia’s attention focused on the upcoming Lions tour, Byrne was asked if he sensed a chance to “spoil the party”.
He said the world No.9 team was more focused on creating some history and winning on Australian soil for the first time since 1954.
“As far as your first point goes of spoiling the party, I think it would be great to beat Australia in Australia,” Byrne said.
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“You know, forget about whatever else is coming after Fiji. It would just be great for us to get a victory on Australian soil.“
Byrne said Fiji would be wary of the threat of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who will start at No.13. Byrne was part of the Wallabies when a young Suaalii attended training one day as a schoolboy, and said the athletic centre reminds him of Israel Folau.
“We knew then that he was a tremendous athlete,” Byrne said. “He offers a dimension to the game that not many athletes can.
“It’s a bit like Izzy [Folau] in his day as well. That aerial skill set as well as being really well balanced across the ground. So like a lot of international players we come up against, we’ve got to keep our eye on him.”
ll matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.
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