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'We don't have a leg to stand on': Judgement day drawing near for Wallabies
With a fresh lease on his test life, Wallabies forward James Slipper wants to be there for what he views as the new-look team’s moment of truth on Sunday.
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The 96-Test prop could notch his century this summer after being included in Dave Rennie’s maiden squad, their first assignment against New Zealand in Wellington.
A test at Auckland’s Eden Park follows, the Wallabies needing to win at least one to keep the series – and hopes of ending an 18-year Bledisloe Cup drought – alive before November’s Rugby Championship in Australia.
Likely to share minutes with fellow veteran and loosehead Scott Sio, Slipper has enjoyed the injection of youth in a squad featuring 16 uncapped players and an average age of 24.
“It definitely feels like a fresh start; plenty of new faces and everyone’s putting their hand up,” the 31-year-old said.
“I haven’t thought too much about the 100 [test milestone] to be honest, I’m just trying to make the team.
“It’s exciting to see these new players come through, an exciting time for Australian rugby and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
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While the front row should feature plenty of familiar faces, the deck could be shuffled behind them as next-generation talents like five-eighth Noah Lolesio and backrowers Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight emerge.
Slipper has attempted to simmer the hype after break-out Super Rugby AU performances but admits he’s excited to see how they transition to the next level.
“At the end of the day it comes down to results and we don’t have a leg to stand on in terms of the last 15 years,” he said.
“But one thing I’ll tell you about these young blokes is that they’re full of confidence; they back themselves so as an older bloke I’m just trying to keep up and hopefully make that team.
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“I’m just excited to see where Australian rugby goes from here and there’s nothing like testing yourself against the All Blacks for a Bledisloe.
“It’ll be fun times for whoever gets that jersey.”
Slipper and his scrum partners have been receiving coaching video sessions from new assistant Petrus du Plessis, who remains stuck in Europe and won’t join the side until next month.
“It’s been different, but you’ve just got to adapt to all situations and it’s been tough for him being overseas and not working in person,” Slipper said.
“The year has been a disaster hasn’t it (because of COVID-19) but it’s been awesome over here [in camp in New Zealand] actually, to bond as a team a bit differently.
“Personally I reckon we’re on track.”
– Murray Wenzel
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments