James Slipper to break Australia’s all-time Super Rugby appearance record
Brumbies veteran James Slipper during training.
Veteran front-row James Slipper has been named to start for the Brumbies against the Waratahs in what will be his 178th appearance in Super Rugby and a new Australian record.
Slipper moves past former Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore in the Australia all-time list having made his debut in Super Rugby for the Reds in 2010 before moving to the Canberra side in 2019.
Solid pack
Joining the record breaker in the front-row is fellow prop Sosefo Kautai and hooker Billy Pollard while Darcy Swain and Nick Frost are named in the second-row.
Evergreen ball carrier Rob Valetini starts on the flank alongside Tom Hooper and number eight Charlie Cale in a good-looking back-row.
Fly-half Noah Lolesio will guide the team from pivot with Ryan Lonergan his half-back partner for the weekend’s clash. Hudson Creighton continues in the centres this weekend with Tamati Tua also named.
Closing out the starting XV is an exciting back three with full-back Tom Wright named alongside the lightning-fast Corey Toole and Ollie Sapsford.
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‘Humbled’
Slipper revealed that he did not know much about the record at the start of the season and is “humbled” to reach such a milestone.
“…I didn’t know too much about the record until I was doing promotional work at the start of the year when someone told me I had to play five or six games. I don’t see any players playing to try and break records or milestones, it comes with a bit of luck and I’ve had a lucky career and worked hard but I’ve been on the better side of injuries,” he said.
“I’m humbled that I’ve made it.”
Matchday 23
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Hudson Creighton, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Tom Hooper, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Fred Kahea, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Declan Meredith
Date: Saturday, April 6
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19:35 local (09:35 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Matt Kellahan (Australia)
TMO: TBC
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