'Roll up the sleeves': Wallabies star details plan to snap losing run against England
Some 12 years on from a forgettable test debut, Wallabies prop James Slipper heads to Perth and a battle with England this weekend able to seek a slice of redemption.
Just 21 at the time, Slipper debuted against England the last time the nations clashed in Perth and admits it was a struggle, the forward pack brutalised and even conceding a penalty try despite Australia winning 27-17.
But speaking ahead of Saturday night’s first Ella-Mobbs Trophy test, the vastly-experienced Slipper said he didn’t see the clash as a personal test, but rather one for the Wallabies to prove they can take it up to England in the set-piece.
“It wasn’t a great night for me that night, it’s one to park,” Slipper told reporters with a laugh.
“That debut was in 2010, so it was a long time ago and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.
“It’s very hard to win a game for your country without a functioning set-piece so we’ve been doing a lot of work on that.
“England back themselves in that area … we’re going to have to make sure we roll up the sleeves.”
Slipper reflected on last November’s match-up, where the Wallabies coughed up 18 penalties to England’s nine and paid for it with a 32-15 defeat.
“We were really disappointed with our performance last year on the Spring tour … our set-piece wasn’t great, it really put us under a lot of pressure,” he said.
“Since the 2015 World Cup we’ve just missed the jump on that basis (against England), in the collision area, they’ve beaten us in the discipline game, they’ve got sharpshooters who can score threes and get the scoreboard ticking.”
Perhaps addressing the visitors’ dominance up front is the inclusion of former Brumbies coach Dan McKellar as the Wallabies’ full-time forwards coach, having been seconded to the national team setup last year.
Slipper, who played under McKellar at the Brumbies, hoped his club side’s forward strength particularly at the maul could translate to the Wallabies and the international fray.
“Clearly having Dan in in the picture, that’s his forte isn’t it – forwards, the rolling maul and just the detail around carries and clean,” he said.
“He’s been a great addition to the Wallabies’ makeup and we’ve been training hard, so I think all of the above will be on the on the menu this weekend.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
41 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
41 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
41 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
41 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
41 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
41 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
41 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments