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James Slipper is a mix of relieved, disappointed and content as he bows out of Test rugby as the most capped Wallaby in history.
A long week of receiving countless texts and calls from former teammates and coaches is finally over after the Wallabies’ 28-14 loss to the All Blacks at Optus Stadium in Perth.
The 36-year-old would have loved nothing more than to go out a winner, but is not the type to expect fairytales from a game that has already given him so much.
“It’s been a long week,” Slipper said after the match. “I’m quite an introvert and my phone was going off quite a bit this week, which was a bit awkward for me. Now that it’s done, that’s probably where the relief comes from.
“Once I was announced in the team and that I was retiring, a lot of old coaches and schoolmates [got in contact]. It was like a big reconnecting of the old players I played with. It was probably the first time I’ve ever reflected on my career.
“It means everything. I’m a proud Aussie and very patriotic when playing for my country. I bleed gold. I really enjoyed playing for my country.”
James Slipper of the Wallabies celebrates with his daughter after his final Test. Credit: Getty Images
Slipper will play for the Brumbies next year in Super Rugby but the Wallabies bus will move on quickly, with upcoming Tests against Japan, England, Italy, Ireland and France on their end-of-year spring tour.
It is now less than two years until Australia hosts the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the Wallabies’ opening match of the tournament will be played at the same Perth venue.
Barring a John Farnham-style comeback, Slipper won’t be there, but the veteran of four World Cups and 21 Test appearances at the game’s centrepiece event believes the blueprint for success is clear.
“In terms of the fundamentals, we’re on the right track,” Slipper said. “Things like looking after the ball, your breakdown, your set-piece … I feel like we’re very consistent at delivering that more consistently.
“But I’d say the thing to work on is our ability to handle big pressure moments. We saw [on Saturday night] we score a try and then it gets taken off us. Then Hoops [Tom Hooper] gets sent off (with a yellow card) and we lost Skelts [Will Skelton] in the same play. Instead of having a try, we’ve lost a try and lost two players. It was a big moment in the game where I think the team could handle things better.
“If they do that, they’ll be on their way.”
Slipper says this is one of the tightest Wallabies groups he has played in. He knows it’s a comment that often gets thrown around but he assures he truly means it.
Saturday’s 14-point defeat was the Wallabies’ biggest loss this year, highlighting the ability of Joe Schmidt’s side to limit the bad blowouts of years gone by.
“There’s a genuine want to get better in this group,” Slipper said. “I think we’ve got the players, I think we’ve got the staff, and I think we’ve got the game that can push forward and compete with the top four in the world.
“Handling pressure, the big moments, and then keeping all their fundamentals really strong will be the key.”
There is a long way to go and the Wallabies know it. But, for all the optimism, reality bites.
Australia did not win the Lions series, Bledisloe Cup or Rugby Championship, and four wins from 10 Tests this year is not the kind of form guide that screams World Cup contenders.
The critics will continue to line up if the Wallabies don’t have success on their spring tour. If Australia can’t secure a top six world rankings, their path through the knockout stages of the tournament will be a difficult.
Shortly after full-time, former Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper gave a blunt assessment of five-eighth Tane Edmed’s performance in his second start at Test level.
Tane Edmed passes the ball in Perth.Credit: Getty Images
“I don’t think he should be on a Test match pitch if I’m honest,” Cooper wrote on X, while saying he wants to see Carter Gordon back in Australian rugby.
Cooper added: “Their game needs work … their system is non-existent, which puts you in bad positions, which creates chaos.”
Edmed, who has shown flashes of promise, knows that improvement is needed.
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Schmidt praised Edmed post-match, but Australia’s No.10 conundrum remains unsolved two years out from a World Cup, with Edmed, James O’Connor, Tom Lynagh, Ben Donaldson and the injured Noah Lolesio all vying for the jersey.
“I’ve kind of learned that I would rather come off playing and trying to take opportunities than being in my shell and just drifting through the game,” Edmed said before Cooper’s comments on social media emerged.
“I’m still a little bit disappointed with a few of those errors [I made], especially the one before half-time where the kick out on the full lead to a try.
“That’s the sort of stuff in Test match footy you kind of can’t afford to do.”
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