Wallabies accept plummeting interest but are determined to reward supporters with wins
After seeing 68,000 fans pack out the stadium against the All Blacks, record breaker James Slipper says he is desperate to turn the Aussie’s shocking run of form around for the fans who have stayed loyal.
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History-maker James Slipper says the Wallabies are fuelled to turn their horrid success rate around for their long suffering fans, who came in droves to support the team in Sydney despite a record loss the week prior.
More than 68,000 fans packed into Accor Stadium for the Bledisloe Cup fixture against the All Blacks, a surprisingly large turnout given the Wallabies lost 67-27 to Argentina in the previous Test.
What the fans witnessed was a calamitous start as Australia gave up a 21-0 deficit inside 15 minutes, before the Wallabies valiantly fought back to come within a whisker of victory, eventually losing 31-28.
Slipper, who overtook George Gregan as the most capped Wallaby of all time with his 140th appearance when he came on in the 50th minute, says the team is under no illusion as to where they sit in the public eye.
“We’re so invested in, we really want to do it for the fans,” Slipper said.
“We understand as a playing group where the Wallabies have been positioned, with our results and our performances over the last decade. We understand that.
“And we’re working so hard as a group to get more positivity in our in our results for the fans because they are unreal. They’re awesome.
“They packed out a big stadium, they’ve been awesome every home game this year. So we really do count them. As a playing group, we understand the importance of our fans.”
Given the two-Test Bledisloe series, the loss means the Wallabies are now without the trophy for a 22nd straight year. Regardless of the outcome next Saturday in Wellington, they will finish bottom of The Rugby Championship table.
But Slipper was pleased with the fight in the team.
“I thought the way we dug in, and not just dug in, we felt like we really turned that into a really good Test match towards that second half,” he said.
“I think everyone in the room could probably see the first half didn’t go our way. So that first 20 minutes we were on the back foot there, seemed like the All Blacks got every bounce of the ball and we weren’t great.
“So you can take confidence of the way we finished the game definitely going into next week.”
Slipper, 35, received a special bottle of 2010 vintage red wine from Gregan, and was honoured by the former Wallabies captain and a host of others including John Eales, while the All Blacks formed a guard of honour after the game for the prop.
“I’ve spent a lot of the week reflecting on that sort of stuff, I grew up watching those blokes, playing in the jersey, they’re main reason why I’m playing rugby,” Slipper said.
“So to be running out in front of them, and to be even in the conversation with those sort of names, it’s a proud moment for me, not just for me, but for my family as well. Who would have thought eh?”
But the introverted front rower is keen to move on from a week that has been centred around his achievement.
“For me personally, I’m looking forward to it to be honest, I always get asked, ‘How are you feeling about it? You know, you overtaking Gregs’, and it’s always been a bit weird for me,” Slipper said.
“I don’t like being the centre of attention and the boys make it about me, so I’m looking forward to moving on now and ideally get a result next week.”
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Originally published as Wallabies accept plummeting interest but are determined to reward supporters with wins