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Ex-All Black’s respect for Super Rugby’s record-breaking Aussie James Slipper
Former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina has expressed his admiration for James Slipper, with the Wallaby set to break Australia’s all-time Super Rugby appearance record on Saturday.
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Slipper, 34, has been named in the Brumbies’ starting lineup ahead of a blockbuster Australian derby at Canberra’s GIO Stadium against their Sydney-based rivals up the A1 the NSW Waratahs.
When the Australian runs out onto the Brumbies’ home turf on Saturday evening, Slipper will surpass former ACT and Queensland hooker Stephen Moore in the Super Rugby history books.
Named to start at loosehead prop, Slipper will make his 178th Super Rugby appearance. The Wallabies veteran played more than 100 games for the Queensland Reds but has found a home in the nation’s capital in a star-studded Brumbies outfit.
In the lead-up to this historic fixture, Australian broadcaster Nick McArdle asked Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Mils Muliaina if New Zealanders “love” Slipper across the ditch.
Muliaina’s response speaks volumes about what James Slipper has achieved on the rugby field.
“I think we do as well,” Muliaina said on Stan Sports’ The Call Up.
“He has experience aplenty, both not just in the Brumbies outfit but the Wallabies as well.
“They will lift for him. Those are the sort of players that guys have looked up to. He’s been in fruition as well over a long period of time, he will be massive.”
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
5
Draws
0
Wins
0
Average Points scored
32
24
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
60%
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The Brumbies have emerged as the form Australian side in Super Rugby Pacific after sneaking past the Queensland Reds 20-19 in an all-time classic at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last weekend.
With Noah Lolesio steering the team around the park, and outside backs Corey Toole and Tom Wright in sensational form, the ‘Brums’ are third on the ladder with a 5-1 record.
While they’re firm favourites for their next fixture, the Tahs are desperate and there might be no better place for them to win right now than on the road against Australia’s form side.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has named a strong side with Angus Bell and Charlie Gamble headlining the forward pack, and some of the nation’s brightest talent in the backs.
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But the story of the week is the return of inside centre Lalakai Foketi to the First XV, with the Wallaby suffering a devastating injury at training during pre-season only two months ago.
“I also like the fact that (Lalakai) Foketi is back for the Waratahs so they’ll get a tiny little bit of dominance in that midfield,” Muliaina continued.
“But going to Canberra, you talk about the local derbies over there, and the Brumbies, they’re a hard act to beat regardless if you’re from Australia or New Zealand when you’re going to Canberra.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Safas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
65 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
65 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
65 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
65 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
65 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
65 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
65 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
65 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
65 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
65 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
65 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to comments