Wallabies warhorse Slipper set to match Gregan’s record

MELBOURNE : After missing Australia’s first test against Argentina last weekend for the birth of his second child, James Slipper is in line to pack down for Saturday’s clash with the Pumas in Santa Fe and join George Gregan as the most capped Wallaby.
The 35-year-old prop’s selection for his 139th test is virtually assured following a head knock to fellow loosehead Isaac Kailea during the Wallabies’ last-gasp win in La Plata which put the rookie on an early flight home.
While the milestone will be testament to Slipper’s resilience and his appeal to a string of Wallabies coaches, the no-frills Queenslander may not make much of it.
If called on to say a few words, Slipper will likely default to his usual position – that while humbled by the attention, he would rather focus on helping the Wallabies win.
Teammates, however, are lining up to pay tribute.
“He’s massive for our group,” fellow prop Allan Alaalatoa told reporters.
“The best thing about him is that he walks the talk and is someone who always leads by his actions on the field and at training.
“He’s been a great servant to the game and it’s just a credit to him and how professional he’s been over the period that he’s been involved in the game as well.
“He’s like a fine wine. He’s still going well, the big man. He’s got plenty more tests to come.”
Having extended his Wallabies contract for another two years in 2023, Slipper will hope to cap his career with a series win against the British and Irish Lions in 2025, 12 years after being part of Robbie Deans’s Wallabies who lost 2-1 to the touring side.
His immediate task, though, is to help the Wallabies improve under Joe Schmidt and give long-suffering fans something to celebrate with more Rugby Championship wins.
Along with Alaalatoa, Slipper has been one of four captains in six tests this season and worked behind the scenes to prepare number eight Harry Wilson to lead the side for the first time in La Plata.
Not unlike Slipper in preferring to let his rugby do the talking, Wilson performed well in the win.
“We gave him the confidence of going out there and delivering his role through his action but then also help balance him out through messages and language,” said Alaalatoa of Wilson.
“That was …. just to make sure that he didn’t feel like he had to talk a lot because he’s got the title.
“That was a credit to a lot of our leaders, especially some who weren’t playing.”