'Ultimate team man': Wallabies praise Slipper as he equals all-time cap record

Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 4:34 AM
AW
by AAP and Nathan Williamson
Los Pumas host the Wallabies in Round 3 of the Rugby Championship at a wet Estadio Uno in La Plata.

Coach Joe Schmidt has paid tribute to James Slipper as the prop ties the all-time cap record for the Wallabies.

Slipper will draw level with George Gregan's record of 139 appearances when he comes off the bench in Sunday's second Test against Argentina.

Tickets to 2024 Wallabies home Tests are available here.

The prop missed last week's win over Los Pumas after welcoming the birth of his second child.

"It's great to have him back in the mix this week and that big number is looking pretty promising," said Schmidt to reporters.

"It's a tremendous achievement for James to equal the record of the most capped Wallaby.

"He's the ultimate team man and I know the whole group will do everything they can to make it a memorable milestone."

Slipper will move into sixth in the world for caps, having broken Gethin Jenkins's record for front-rowers earlier in the year against Wales.

Dry conditions are expected to welcome the Wallabies to Santa Fe, a welcome change after two rain-filled encounters.

Schmidt said he'd take any win he could get.

"It was eight degrees last Saturday so it's a 20 degree swing, and hopefully the result doesn't swing," Schmidt said.

"We'll just keep trying to stack good elements of performance together, and hopefully that's enough to get us the result.

"We'll take a result in the last minute by one point any time that's on offer.

"I'm not sure my heart will sustain those, but certainly it was a real fillip for us last week to get the result."

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