James Slipper’s Queenslands Reds return 107 steps and 11 months in the making

THE 107 steps that climb the Kangaroo Point cliffs were the test Reds prop James Slipper needed to pass as he built strength in his mending achilles tendon.

James Slipper (tackling low) made his Super Rugby return last week.

THE 107 steps that climb the Kangaroo Point cliffs were a stairway to hell for Reds prop James Slipper as he built strength in his mending achilles tendon.

Fitness fiends in Lorna Jane tights skipped by him and personal trainers cajoled groups of exercise newbies around him as he marched methodically upwards.

His left calf wasn’t exactly puny by normal standards but the 86-Test prop knew he could forget being a scrum force again if he did not restore the pushing power in his legs.

“There were plenty of ladies in activewear ahead of me and people heading to coffee stops at the top of the cliffs but I just kept my head down,” Slipper said.

Reds prop James Slipper walking the Kangaroo Point Cliffs stairs as part of his recovery. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It was very hard in those early stages but just completing those runs up and down the stairs gave me confidence because you never know how an achilles is going to react.”

The Reds may not have been winners in Melbourne last Friday night but the return to Super Rugby for the stalwart forward was a victory 11 months in the making.

He hadn’t packed a Super Rugby scrum since playing the Lions in March last year when his achilles ruptured in Johannesburg.

At the seven-minute mark in Melbourne, Slipper was beaming after the Reds won a scrum penalty and felt they could shunt the Rebels all night.

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So much for false dawns.

By midway through a crazy half, winger Chris Feauai-Sautia had his boot caught under the prop’s feet while floundering as an emergency flanker because two forwards had been ejected.

Slipper, 28, is again the Reds’ senior pack figure to drive for a much-needed win over the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

There are already five players 23 or younger in the pack and today’s expected selection of Liam Wright, just 20, will make it six when he replaces the suspended Scott Higginbotham.

As rattled as the Reds may seem by judiciary issues, Slipper has great faith in the steel of the youth brigade.

James Slipper (tackling low) made his Super Rugby return last week.

“I’ve got to stop calling them kids,” Slipper said.

“I see a guy like Liam as a leader already.

“First and foremost, there is a good culture at the Reds and the young guys are really driving it.

“They gravitate to listen to all (coach) Brad Thorn has to pass on and they put Queensland first.

“It’s exciting and I want to be a part of the Reds turning it around after some lean years.”

Young backrower Rob Valetini is out long-term with knee ligament damage while Wallaby prop Scott Sio (calf) is not expected to play.

The Brumbies already have one win ticked on the road this season after coming from behind to beat the Sunwolves 32-25 in Tokyo with five tries.

Originally published as James Slipper’s Queenslands Reds return 107 steps and 11 months in the making