ACT Brumbies veteran James Slipper set to break Super Rugby's record for most games played
ACT Brumbies prop James Slipper will have played more Super Rugby games than anyone else. (ABC News: Mark Moore)
In short:
Brumbies prop James Slipper will soon have played more Super Rugby games than anyone else.
The 37-year-old veteran is also among the most capped international players.
What's next?
His record-breaking 203rd game will take place on Friday night at Canberra Stadium.
ACT Brumbies veteran James Slipper is on the cusp of breaking the Super Rugby record for most games played and is already thinking about going around again next year.
The prop will play his 203rd Super Rugby game against the Chiefs at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, breaking the record set by former All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett.
It will be another achievement in Slipper's remarkable CV; he is already the third most capped player in international rugby with 151 games for the Wallabies.
The 36-year-old admitted even he had been surprised by his longevity in the game.
"I probably didn't see myself sticking around in rugby this long, let alone the Brumbies, but it's probably due to the Brums that I've managed to keep playing for as long as I have,"he said.
"It's a club that gets the best out of me."
However he said the time for reflection would come later, when he calls time on his career and can spend more time with his two daughters.
"That will be extremely satisfying that I'll be able to share with those girls and show them that I could actually play rugby at some stage of my life, I'm looking forward to that part," he said.
'Good enough' for next season
Slipper retired from international rugby at the end of 2025, but indicated he would be interested in playing for the Brumbies in 2027.
“In the background I've thought about it, physically I think I can keep going," he said.
"I'm not sure about the conversations ... nor do I expect them to be happening at this stage of the season.
"There's probably a fair few other players they need to secure before they start securing a 37-year-old," he said.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said all indicators showed Slipper would again be an asset next season.
ACT Brumbies coach Steven Larkham says James Slipper has remarkable longevity. (ABC News: Mark Moore)
"I think he's good enough."
"He's enjoying his rugby, and the most important things at the back of your career are: 1. Are you performing? And 2. Are you still enjoying it?
"And I think both of those boxes are being ticked," Larkham said.
"He's a pretty special human, [he] offers a lot to the Brumbies, both on the field and off.
"One of the best leaders that you'll find in the game. We're lucky to have him."
'Fallen in love with Canberra'
James Slipper will take to the field at Canberra Stadium for his 203rd game of Super Rugby on Friday night. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)
The fact Slipper will break the record in Canberra marks a significant turnaround for the veteran prop.
Slipper made his Super Rugby debut in 2010 with Queensland before moving to the Brumbies in 2019.
Loading..."I remember distinctly chatting with [then Brumbies coach] Dan McKellar at the time, and he convinced me that Canberra was a beautiful place to come live and move down to," he said.
"I tended to laugh at the time, but to be fair to him, I've fallen in love with Canberra ever since.
"This is my eighth year here at the Brums and I've loved every year of it, you know, what the Brumbies stand for, how we play the game."
And while his exceptional career will eventually finish, his time in Canberra is set to continue.
"I've got two young daughters now and we see Canberra as a great, great place to bring up a family, so we're enjoying ourselves,"he said.