James Slipper to retire after Test Finale in Perth

Australia’s longest-serving Test player James Slipper has announced he will retire from international rugby after Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against New Zealand in Perth.

Slipper, aged 36, earned his 150th Test cap in Australia’s 33-24 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland last week. He becomes the third player in the world—after Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Whitelock—to reach that mark. He will finish his Wallabies career in the city where he made his debut in 2010.

In a Rugby Australia statement, Slipper described wearing the gold jersey as “the single proudest achievement” of his career.

Looking ahead, he said: "Representing the Wallabies has been the single proudest achievement of my rugby career and a privilege I have never taken for granted.

"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.

"There are 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."

Over 16 years, Slipper has represented Australia in four Rugby World Cups and featured in two British & Irish Lions tours. He has captained the Wallabies on 15 occasions and held the record for the most Test appearances by any Australian.

Though Slipper will retire from international play, he has committed to continue his club career with the ACT Brumbies. His departure opens space for new front-row talent to build ahead of Australia’s home World Cup in 2027.