Australia’s Slipper to retire after All Blacks Test

After this weekend’s Wallabies’ Test against New Zealand, Australia prop James Slipper will step down from international duty.

The 36-year-old, who is Australia’s mostcapped player, became the first player to play 150 Test matches for the Wallabies following Saturday’s defeat by the All Blacks.

He captained Australia on 15 occasions and won four World Cups.

The single most impressive accomplishment of my rugby career has been playing for the Wallabies, said Slipper, adding that it is a privilege I have never taken for granted.

After Sam Whitelock in New Zealand and Alun Wyn Jones in Wales, Slipper is the only other player to surpass the 150-cap milestone.

Coach of Australia Joe Schmidt described him as “the ultimate team man” and “he’s incredibly popular in the group.”

“I am aware of how important Wallabies represent to him, and the accomplishments he has made at the highest level of the game speak for themselves,” he said.

In Perth in 2010, Slipper made his professional debut against England.

When Australia take on rivals New Zealand at 10:45 am BST on Saturday, he’ll make his final appearance for the Wallabies in the same city to defend their first Rugby Championship title in a decade.