James Slipper makes history as Super Rugby’s all-time appearance leader

ACT Brumbies prop James Slipper has officially become the all-time appearance leader in Super Rugby, going one clear of former Crusaders loosehead Wyatt Crockett by taking the field at GIO Stadium on Friday night.

Three-time Super Rugby champion Crockett held the record from April 14, 2017, after surpassing legendary Blues rake Kevin Mealamu. That was Crockett’s 176^th appearance in the iconic red jersey of the Crusaders, going on to play another 26 matches before hanging up the boots.

Slipper walked through a tunnel formed by both teams ahead of his 203^rd match, with the home side taking on the Chiefs. The 36-year-old joined the Brumbies in 2019, following a 100+ game stint with the Queensland Reds.

‘Slips’ debuted for the Reds in the opening round of the 2010 season against the NSW Waratahs and was part of the title-winning squad the next season. The front-rower decided to sign with the Brumbies after meeting with then-coach Dan McKellar at the Canberra Central food court.

“I had to sell him two things: he’d enjoy Canberra and him and Scott Sio could play in the same team together… as it turns out, it’s worked out pretty well for Slips,” McKellar told reporters in Sydney this week.

“He’s just a good bloke. Loved being in his company. What I’ve seen him put his body through over the years and front up week on week on week on week, my respect and admiration for him is through the roof.

“Really pleased. Wyatt’s held that record for a long time and hopefully Slips does the same. He’s not only playing his 203^rd Super Rugby game, he’s played over 150 Test matches but he continues to play very, very well.

“It seems like every week there’s a James Slipper milestone and I sent him that message but it’s nice for him to get the recognition that he probably doesn’t love but he certainly deserves.”

Slipper is no stranger to history-making feats, having become the most-capped Wallaby ever during the 2025 international season. The Gold Coaster decided to retire from Test duty after the second Bledisloe Cup Test between the Wallabies and All Blacks last October.

Having signed a new one-year deal with the Brumbies on May 26, 2025, Slipper hasn’t retired from all forms of rugby just yet. Friday night’s clash marked the forward’s fifth appearance of the season, starting at loosehead in all of those matches.

While Slipper has retired from international rugby ahead of Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia next year, current Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has kept the door ajar for the Test veteran to make a stunning return in time for the event.

“I don’t think you’d ever say never,” Schmidt revealed on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.

“Like Nic White, once a decision is made, it’s made for at least that week. I’m not saying never but I know that Slips, the first thing he’d acknowledge is there’s a few good looseheads knocking around at the moment.

“I think there’s been some really good performances across the full four teams in Super Rugby so far, and even in behind him with the Brums, Blake Schoupp and Lington Ieli, there’s good stock coming through.

“That stock could still be aided by a bit of glue that the senior man’s got. He is retired currently.”

But March 20, 2026, now holds a special place in Super Rugby history.

Slipper is officially the all-time appearance leader and there’s still plenty of matches to be played in Super Rugby Pacific this season.