Wallabies legend puts career on pause for new Brumbies position
James Slipper in action for the Brumbies and Wallabies.
The Brumbies have announced that veteran Wallabies front-rower James Slipper has been promoted to their backroom staff as their new scrum coach on a temporary basis.
Slipper, who recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Canberra-based outfit, will take on his coaching duties during Super Rugby AUS, as he turns his attention to helping develop the next generation of Brumbies forwards.
This, after regular Brumbies scrum coach John Ulugia took up a similar role with the Wallabies.
The most experienced international prop in history
With 154 Test appearances for the Wallabies, Slipper is the most experienced prop in the history of international rugby, and he is keen to add value in his new position at the Brumbies.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been around a lot of scrums over the years, so hopefully I can pass on a bit of what I’ve learnt and help the boys get better,” he said.
Although he has committed to one more season with the Brumbies, he will remain on the sidelines for the club’s Super Rugby AUS campaign and take on a different role within head coach Stephen Larkham’s coaching group.
Apart from his record number of Wallabies caps, Slipper has also made 212 Super Rugby appearances and wants to share the lessons gathered during his extensive professional career with the Brumbies’ up-and-coming forwards.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with and against some really good front-rowers and work with some really good scrum coaches, so I’ve picked up plenty along the way,” he said.
“If I can pass some of that on to the younger guys, then that’s something I’ll really enjoy.”
Embracing the opportunity
It is an opportunity which Slipper is embracing, while also recognising there is plenty for him to learn as he makes the transition from player to coach.
“There are some really good young guys coming through, and they’re hungry to learn,” he said.
“I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. I’m just trying to give them some things that I’ve learnt over a long career and hopefully help them along the way.”
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
For Slipper, the role is another way to contribute to the Brumbies set-up, which he has called home since 2019 after joining them from the Reds, where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2010.
And while he will not be in action during Super Rugby AUS, he’ll still be an interested onlooker when the Brumbies scrum takes centre stage.
The Brumbies will play their first match in the competition against the Waratahs at the Bungendore Sports Hub on Sunday.
