‘I was content’: James Slipper explains return from Wallabies retirement

James Slipper has come out of international retirement for the three home fixtures to start the Nations Championship, but the Wallabies all-time appearance record-holder is still no guarantee for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

Slipper hung up the international rugby boots after the second Bledisloe Cup Test last year, with the Wallabies falling to the All Blacks in Perth. That was the front-rower’s 151^st appearance for the Wallabies, 12 more caps than George Gregan’s career tally.

But ‘Slips’ wasn’t lost to the game completely, with the now 37-year-old signing a one-year deal with the ACT Brumbies. Slipper broke the all-time appearance record in Super Rugby, going clear of Wyatt Crocket’s long-held record.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham started Slipper at loosehead in all 14 appearances, including a try-scoring milestone appearance in a win over the Crusaders in round two. The veteran prop would round out the campaign with a 68-minute shift against the Hurricanes.

Before the Wallabies squad is officially announced on Friday, Slipper has confirmed that he is available for the first three Tests of the season. Injuries to other loosehead props have opened the door for a return to the Wallabies squad.

“I want to keep playing next year and that’s still to be set in stone down at the Brums,” Slipper told reporters in Sydney.

“At this stage I can guarantee I’m available for the first three games and then potentially throughout the year if needed.

“That’s probably where it’s gotten to at this stage. It hasn’t really been in the pipeline too long so we’re just crossing that path when we get there.”

But Slipper is still no certainty to feature at next year’s Rugby World Cup, clarifying the chance to return for the Wallabies is, at this stage, only for the July internationals. Slipper had spoken with coach Joe Schmidt fortnightly, which led to this decision.

The chance to play at the showpiece event is not out of the question though, with Slipper outlining what needs to happen for him to “put my hand up” for selection. There’s still a little over 15 months between now and the World Cup opener on October 1 in Perth.

“I’ve put myself in a position where I’ve feel like I’ve played well enough to still be contributing to the Wallabies,” Slipper reflected.

“Even when I retired, I did it with the team in mind. If there’s a reason for me to be available for the World Cup then I’ll put my hand up but a couple of things need to happen there.

“I need to earn that, I need to be playing well and also, I’ve got to be a better option than other looseheads in the country at the time. At not stage am I sitting here thinking I’m going to be a certainty for the World Cup because you’ve got to be playing well, you’ve got to be picked.

“If I’m still playing for the Brumbies and the team needs me, I’ll put my hand up for the World Cup.”

The Wallabies face Ireland first up on July 4, to be played in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium crowd in Sydney. Australia will then host Six Nations champions France in Brisbane, before taking on an Italian side that’s beaten the Wallabies in their two most recent meetings.

Ireland, Italy and France were the Wallabies’ final three opponents of the Autumn Nations Series last year, with Slipper involved in punditry for the Azzurri game in Australia. The decision to retire from Test rugby was one that Slipper was content with for some time.

“To be honest, I was really enjoying me year as it was this year. It wasn’t a matter of I missed it, it’s how things have turned out and I’ve always wanted to put the Wallaby jersey first. Whatever’s best for that jersey probably dictates my decision a fair bit,” he added.

“I was content, I was really happy with what I did in the jersey. I definitely did as much as I could at the time but it came back to I probably surprised myself with how well I played this year. I know [I’m] not probably the best prop running around but I still felt like I was moving well.

“I didn’t set out at the start of the year to be another Wallaby, to try and make another squad. It was just the circumstances of the year that kind of led me to this position.”