Joe Schmidt hints Wallabies return for James Slipper not off the table

Joe Schmidt let out a smirk before refusing to rule out a potential return to international rugby for James Slipper, but the Wallabies coach also insists the most-capped player in team history is currently retired from Test duty.

Slipper retired after Bledisloe II in Perth last October, which was the prop’s 151^st appearance in the gold jersey. Welsh great Alun Wyn Jones and legendary All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock join ‘Slips’ as the only three men to have played in at least 150 international rugby matches.

While the curtain closed on Slipper’s decorated Wallabies career, the 36-year-old hasn’t hung up the boots completely. Slipper has made four appearances for the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific this season, which sets up a history-making fixture on Friday in the capital.

Coach Stephen Larkham has named Slipper at loosehead prop to face the Chiefs at GIO Stadium, which will be the front-rower’s 203^rd Super Rugby appearance. That will see Slipper go one clear of Wyatt Crockett as the most-capped player in the competition’s history.

Slipper has started the season with a series of strong performances, which included a try in the Brumbies’ 50-24 win away to the Crusaders last month. Before Slipper breaks the all-time appearance record, Schmidt was asked about the Test veteran’s Wallabies retirement.

“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.”

Slipper made more than 100 appearances for the Queensland Reds before making the move to Canberra ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby season, which followed a sit-down meeting with then-Brumbies coach Dan McKellar at the Canberra Centre food court.

As McKellar acknowledged this week, “it’s worked out pretty well for Slips.” Slipper is now set for another milestone appearance, named to start in the Brumbies front-row along with hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Darcy Breen.

“Loosehead prop is one of the best places to be, Wyatt Crockett, another loosehead prop that he’s getting up over the top of,” Schmidt said.

“I think with Slips, that durability. He is, I think, a stubborn man when it comes to trying to move him or try to move him on.

“Because people love him in their environment, they keep him there. I know talking to [Stephen] Larkham, he’s delighted to have him there, as are the Brumbies players.”