Bledisloe Cup: Wallabies and Test great James Slipper to end international career against New Zealand

Wallabies and international rugby great James Slipper is set to bow out of the Test arena in Perth, with Australia’s most-capped player to line up in his final international game in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup blockbuster.

The long-tenured Slipper, one of just three players in Test history to reach the 150-game mark, has confirmed the Wallabies clash with New Zealand at Optus Stadium will be his last.

The 36 year-old reached the century-and-a-half milestone against the All Blacks last Saturday and will retire behind only Welsh second-rower Alun Wyn Jones (171) and New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock (153) in terms of Tests played.

In a full circle moment, Slipper’s Wallabies career will finish where it started in Perth, 15 years on from his debut as a 21 year-old against England at Subiaco Oval.

Slipper holds the Australian record for most Rugby World Cups attended (four) and World Cup games played (21) and earlier this year became just the fifth Wallaby to play two British and Irish Lions series.

Slipper, who became the Wallabies’ 83rd Test captain in 2015 and led his country on 15 occasions, said the time was right.

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

“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.”