The Super Rugby record for most appearances will have to wait another week following the announcement of the ACT Brumbies’ squad on Thursday.
James Slipper is waiting to make his record-breaking 203rd Super Rugby appearance but was left out of the table-topping Brumbies’ squad to face the Fijian Drua this weekend.
The 36-year-old Australian prop is currently level with the all-time mark held by retired All Blacks great Wyatt Crockett on 202 and is now on track to beat the milestone on his home ground in a week’s time.
Coach Stephen Larkham said Slipper was not injured, but being rested for the round-five trip to Fiji on Saturday.
“We want to make sure that we’re not burning our players out,” he said in announcing nine changes to the starting side who lost for the first time this season to the Queensland Reds 34-31 last week. “And he’s played every game, and we have had significant travel already.
“This is a really difficult travel, particularly when you talk about big bodies and older players, you want to make sure that you’re keeping them fresh throughout the season.”
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While Slipper will miss out, fellow Wallaby Rob Valetini – who has Fijian heritage – will create his own slice of history with his 100th appearance.
But he has been denied an opportunity to play against his brother Kemu who was left out of Drua’s match 23.
“We learned a lot from last week,” Larkham said. “Sometimes you take more out of a loss than a win.
“The chaos of that game gave our players some really good learnings around how to adapt and overcome challenges during a match.
“This week presents another opportunity for growth and to test ourselves once more in Fiji.”
– AFP
Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
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