Slipper announces retirement from Test rugby as O’Connor dropped

The Wallabies’ most capped player, James Slipper, will play his last Test on Saturday.

Rugby Australia announced on Wednesday that Slipper will bow out of Test rugby after this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match in Perth.

After bringing up his 150th Test last week in Australia’s 33-24 loss to the All Blacks, Slipper will draw the curtain on a decorated career that began in 2010 with a debut against England. Slipper will still play for the Brumbies in next year’s Super Rugby season and is two games away from chalking up 200 appearances.

Slipper has the most Rugby World Cup appearances by a Wallaby (21 Tests) across four tournaments.

“Representing the Wallabies has been the single proudest achievement of my rugby career and a privilege I have never taken for granted,” Slipper said in a statement.

“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.

“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.”

After playing in the Wallabies’ loss at Eden Park, Slipper revealed it had been his last Test at a venue that has been a fortress for the All Blacks.

The 36-year-old is the first Australian to reach the 150-game milestone, and just the third player ever, along with New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock and Welshman Alun Wyn-Jones.

“The boys got around it during the week, and the fact that no one’s done it before in Australia made it a little bit more special, for lack of a better word,” Slipper said last week.

“I had a video message from both Sam Whitelock and Alun Wyn-Jones. That was really special.”

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said in a statement: “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.

“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.”

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt added: “First and foremost, Slips is a great person. He’s incredibly popular in the group and is the ultimate team man.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Tane Edmed is set to replace James O’Connor at No.10 against the All Blacks.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of discussions said O’Connor will come off the bench.

Edmed was named on the bench last week but didn’t get on the field. He started against the Pumas in Sydney but did not have a great game.

The Wallabies will announce their team on Thursday, which could feature Jake Gordon as the side’s starting halfback, given Tate McDermott’s hamstring injury during last week’s Test.

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