'Old dog' Slipper U-turns on Australia retirement

Published4 hours ago

Veteran Australia prop James Slipper has reversed his retirement from international rugby and is in the Wallabies squad for the forthcoming Nations Championship.

The 37-year-old, who has won 151 Test caps, the third-highest total in history, initially called time on his Wallabies career in October.

However, doubts about the depth behind first-choice loose-head Angus Bell prompted coach Joe Schmidt to persuade Slipper to return to the fold.

"It cost me a coffee," joked Schmidt, who will hand over to Queensland Reds' Les Kiss after July's matches against Ireland, France and Italy.

"There's an old dog... great to lean on and he's a known quantity and leader in the group, which we lacked a bit during last season [after injuries hit]."

Slipper said that the prospect of playing in a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 was now part of his planning.

"If there's a reason for me to be available for the World Cup then I'll put my hand up, but a couple of things need to happen there," said Slipper.

"I need to earn that. I need to be playing well, and I've got to be a better option than other loosies in the country at the time... but yeah, if I'm still playing for the Brumbies, and the team needs me, I'll put my hand up for the World Cup."

Exeter duo Tom Hooper and Len Ikitau are included in the squad, while uncapped Declan Meredith is a contender at fly-half, with Tom Lynagh out injured and Tane Edmed out of favour.

Noah Lolesio, who was set to face the British and Irish Lions last summer before suffering a neck injury, is left out after joining a second-tier Japanese side. Australia's policy is a preference for home-based players, rather than an outright ban on overseas options.

Carter Gordon, who returned to union from rugby league at the start of the season, and the versatile Ben Donaldson are the other fly-halves in the squad.

Second row Will Skelton and scrum-half Jack Gordon are out though injury, with Western Force's Zac Lomax also not considered as he nurses a calf strain.

Lomax's fellow code-crossers Angus Crichton and former Wallaby wing Mark Nawaqanitawase are yet to complete the moves to union which will put them into contention for a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Highly-rated teenage backline prospect Treyvon Pritchard has been picked for Australia's under-20 World Championship campaign instead.

Australia Nations Championship squad

Forwards: Alaalatoa, Amatosero, Bell, Cale, Canham, Champion de Crespigny, Hooper, McReight, Nasser, Nonggorr, Paenga-Amosa, Pollard, Ross, Shaw, Slipper, Tizzano, Tupou, Valetini, Williams, Wilson

Backs: Campbell, Daugunu, Donaldson, Flook, Gordon, Ikitau, Jorgensen, Lonergan, McDermott, Meredith, Paisami, Pietsch, Potter, Suaalii, Thomas, Toole, Wright

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