James Slipper confirmed for 140th Test, set to break all-time Wallabies record

Nearly 15 years after making his Wallabies debut, a national treasure will set a new Australian record against the All Blacks.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt conceded the last-start thrashing by Argentina and the trip back home left some players “a little bit run down” after making mass changes for Saturday’s history-making Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks in Sydney.

Veteran prop James Slipper will become the most-capped Wallaby of all-time after being locked in for his 140th match after being named on the bench for what Schmidt said would be a “particularly special day for James and his family”.

Slipper, who made his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop as the Wallabies try to beat the Kiwis in Sydney for the first time since 2015.

Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami will also return to the starting side among mass changes by coach Joe Schmidt to the team that capitulated in the second half against Argentina in Sante Fe, losing 67-27.

James Slipper will break the Wallabies games record on Saturday. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio, who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.

Schmidt said he felt “very comfortable” to re-install White as the starting N0.9 after revealing illness also impacted the squad.

“Getting back from Santa Fe … that took its toll that game,” said Schmidt.

“There were a few boys who were a little bit ill and a little bit run down and Nic hadn’t played, he was the freshest and we just felt that making an early decision in the week to go with Nic… He has great leadership, all the nines have great leadership, and they’ve all at some stage been skipper of their Super Rugby side, so Nick was a pretty good fit and a good fit with Noah.

“They’re both originally from the Brumbies, they’ve played a fair bit of time together so we just felt that that combination would be a good one to start us off on Saturday.”

Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the Wallabies jersey for the first time since 2021 after returning to Australian rugby from France earlier this year.

Your Bledisloe Cup Match Day 23.#Wallabiespic.twitter.com/CNpZjkvTos

— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 19, 2024

McReight’s return from a hand injury comes at the expense of Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano, who has also been overlooked for a spot on the bench.

“Carlo’s been absolutely outstanding … (but) I think Fraser was probably outstanding before that, so trying to find a place for both of them, it’s something we did consider, but will also feel (No.8) Harry (Wilson) has gone really well, and Rob Valetini is Rob Valetini,” Schmidt said.

Kiwi Schmidt admitted it would be “awkward” coaching against New Zealand, having been an All Blacks selector and assistant coach in recent years.

“I’ve had a lot to do with some of those players very recently … but the loyalty to the group of men that you’re working with at the current time, players understand that,” he said.

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett is among four changes from the side that lost its second Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks, and he will start at fullback at Accor Stadium on Saturday.

Te Kapa | Team for Bledisloe One 🔥

📍Accor Stadium, Sydney
📆 Saturday 3:45pm AEST | 5:45pm NZT#AllBlacks#BledisloeCuppic.twitter.com/GSlsYebJnZ

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 18, 2024

Fellow backline guns Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke have all been named to return from injury, while prop Ethan de Groot will return from a neck issue as the Kiwis look to continue their Bledisloe Cup dominance.

“If you look at the history of the first Test of each year, especially in Aussie, those games have been tight,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said after confirming his line-up.

“They’ve come down to small margins, (a) one-score game for long parts of the match. Both countries care about it. A little bit of form goes out the window when the Bledisloe Cup starts.”

Originally published as James Slipper confirmed for 140th Test, set to break all-time Wallabies record