Dublin: Wallabies veteran James Slipper says he’d love to captain Australia at next year’s Rugby World Cup – if Michael Hooper doesn’t want the job – and revealed he is eyeing the 2025 British and Irish series on home turf where he could overtake George Gregan’s overall appearance record.
Wallabies captaincy was thrust upon Slipper earlier this year when Hooper made the difficult decision to step away from the game due to “mindset” issues.
Slipper had captained his country a handful of times, but never in a full-time capacity.
On a long five-week tour of Europe, this is very much Slipper’s team now, but advice from Hooper isn’t far away if he needs it.
“It’s been a different year for me,” Slipper told the Herald this week. “I’m a patriotic Aussie; I could play another 10 games for the Wallabies this year and be happy.”
Next year is a critically important time for Australian rugby, with a World Cup in France already very much on players’ minds.
Wallabies captain James Slipper would love to captain the Wallabies at the World Cup – if James Hooper doesn’t want the job.Credit:Getty Images
The big question is whether Hooper will return as captain, or Slipper will continue in his adopted role.
In short, it’s Hooper’s job if he wants it, but Slipper knows the privilege that comes with leading the Wallabies at a World Cup.
“I’ll happily do it,” Slipper said. “But it’s not something I need to have. Hoops is open to the idea that he might not be captain again.
“I’ve made it clear to Hoops that if he ever wanted the captaincy back, he can walk straight back into my shoes. I’ve got so much respect for the bloke. Hoops is the kind of guy who will do what is right for the team.
“Whether it’s me, whether it’s Hoops, whether it’s someone completely different, I don’t know. We just want what’s best for the team.
“As a captain, you don’t want to be the only guy out there talking; you want a group around you. I think it’s important you don’t take it all on yourself.”
Slipper will be 34 at next year’s World Cup, an age when most front-rowers have already penned their retirement speech. Not the Queenslander now plying his trade with the Brumbies.
In 2013, Slipper came off the bench in all three of Australia’s Tests against the British and Irish Lions. It is rare for Southern Hemisphere players to feature in two Lions series – given they’re 12 years apart – but Slipper believes he can make it to 2025.
What about a home World Cup in 2027?
It has been a difficult spring tour for James Slipper and the Wallabies.Credit:Getty
“I reckon I’ve got the petrol in the tank for the [2025] Lions series,” he said with a laugh. “I definitely do not have the petrol for the 2027 World Cup.
“I feel pretty good, and I’m playing a lot of rugby. You have your tough days. I’m a little bit sorer after games nowadays.”
If Slipper plays against Wales next week, he will have 127 Tests to his name by the end of the tour. He is now two Tests ahead of Hooper, due to the latter’s break from the game.
The magic number to eclipse is George Gregan’s 139 Wallabies appearances and if Slipper is intent on sticking around until the next Lions series, he could etch his name into the Australian rugby record books.
Slipper could equal Gregan’s record in the 2023 World Cup final: if Australia qualify, and if Slipper features in every Test.
Coach Dave Rennie is a massive fan of Slipper and the respect goes both ways, despite an underwhelming year when the team’s win record has slipped below 40 per cent.
“Rens is one of my favourite coaches I’ve had,” Slipper said. “That’s why it’s gutting for me that we haven’t got the results over the last couple of seasons. I could sit here and name a few excuses, but I’m not going to do that. He’s a bloke that brings out the best in his players. He makes you feel very comfortable.”
For now, Slipper just wants to keep fronting up and doing the tough stuff that doesn’t always get noticed. It’s what he’s done his whole career.
“I know I’m not the best player, but I just try and do the best job I can do for the team,” Slipper said.
“I’m not going to make your highlights. I pride myself on doing my job. My job is all the fun stuff: scrums, rucks, carries and tackles.
“It’s not about trying to be like any other captain, it’s just trying to be yourself. I’ll lead through my actions as best as I can.
“I love it. I just love playing for my country and every time I get to play, I’m extremely proud.”
Watch all the action from the Wallabies spring tour with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Continues this weekend with Italy v South Africa (Saturday, 11.50pm, AEDT), Wales v Georgia (Saturday, 11.50pm, AEDT), Scotland v Argentina (Sunday, 2.05am, AEDT), England v All Blacks (Sunday, 4am, AEDT), Ireland v Wallabies (Sunday, 6.40am, AEDT) and France v Japan (Sunday, 11.50pm. AEDT).
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