'More than I could ever have asked for': Wallabies ironman James Slipper calls time on legendary career
Updated . First published at
Wallabies legend James Slipper has announced he will retire from international rugby after the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth on Saturday.
The venerable prop played his 150th Test at Eden Park on Saturday as the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup with a rollercoaster 33-24 win.
It meant Slipper, 36, joined an exclusive club of just three men to reach the 150 milestone.
Watch the 2025 Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport
The Slipper family at Eden Park. Stan
Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones leads the way with 170 Tests while New Zealand great Sam Whitelock played 153.
In a full circle moment, Slipper's Test career will finish where it started in Perth.
In 2010 he debuted as a 21-year-old off the bench against England at Subiaco Oval.
READ MORE: Broncos 'spy' funnelling 'inside information' from Storm
READ MORE: 'Game on': Broncos legend backs 'refreshing' Storm sledge
READ MORE: Saints defender rejects $4.8m trade offer from rivals
James Slipper of Australia reacts. Getty
"Representing the Wallabies has been the single proudest achievement of my rugby career and a privilege I have never taken for granted," Slipper said.
"As a young kid on the Gold Coast playing backyard footy with my brothers, it was a dream to pull on the gold jersey, and to be able to say I've lived my dream for what's coming on 16 years is more than I could ever have asked for.
"It feels like the right time for me to step away from Test rugby. There's a number of good young props coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what's going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027," Slipper said.
NEW PODCAST! Sonny Bill Williams and Michael Hooper break down a spicy Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland and preview Perth
"It will also allow me to spend more quality time with my wife Kara and two young daughters Lily and Ava which is something that I owe to them after 16 years of full-time professional rugby.
"There's plenty of people I need to thank and I'll do that when the time is right but for now my focus is on preparing well to finish The Rugby Championship in a positive manner with the team."
Slipper is beloved within Wallabies camp for his honesty, bravery and ability to connect with players of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and James Slipper. Getty
"James has been a remarkable servant of Australian rugby and will go down in history as one of the most durable, dependable and respected players to ever pull on a Test jersey anywhere in the world," Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said.
"To reach the milestones he has across 16 professional seasons, particularly as a front rower, is testament to his professionalism and the way he goes about his work.
"Everyone in Australian rugby will be cheering James on for his final Test match and looking forward to 2026 when he proudly pulls on the Brumbies jersey once again."
James Slipper of Australia talks with Stan Sport commentator Sonny Bill Williams. Getty
Reaching a milestone would have been unthinkable in 2018, when Slipper was banned by Rugby Australia after testing positive to cocaine twice within a matter of months.
At that stage he had played 86 Tests but was battling depression during some dark personal struggles.
He had torn his Achilles tendon and was also struggling to cope with his mother's terminal cancer diagnosis.
"First and foremost Slips is a great person. He's incredibly popular in the group and is the ultimate team man," Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.
"I know how much representing the Wallabies means to him and his record speaks for itself with the number of milestones he has achieved at the highest level of the game."
