Il Nuovo Postiglione - Wallabies vow to send Slipper off on a high against All Blacks

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Wallabies vow to send Slipper off on a high against All Blacks

SPORTS 03.10.2025

Wallabies vow to send Slipper off on a high against All Blacks / Photo: Martin KEEP - AFP/File

Captain Harry Wilson on Friday told Australia to send off "ultimate team man" James Slipper with a performance to be proud of in their must-win Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand.

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Slipper, the Wallabies' most capped player, will play his 151st and final Test, ensuring there will be plenty of emotion during Saturday's clash between the rivals at a sold-out 60,000 Perth Stadium.

Australia are aiming to rebound from a 33-24 defeat to the All Blacks last weekend, ending their hopes of regaining the Bledisloe Cup.

They still have a slim chance of winning a first Rugby Championship title in a decade, but must beat New Zealand with a bonus point and hope Argentina upset South Africa in London.

"He's the ultimate team man and he's going to be missed because we love him to death," Wilson told reporters, with the 36-year-old Slipper having announced his retirement on Wednesday.

"He's going to empty the tank one final time and that's what he's done 150 times for the Wallabies.

"To go out there one final time with Slippy, it's going to be an honour, and we can't wait to go out there and put a performance in for him to be proud of."

Australia's hopes of victory have been boosted by the inclusions of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, adding heft to their forward pack.

But Australia will need to defy a long losing streak against the All Blacks if they are to send Slipper off on a winning note.

The Wallabies have suffered 10 straight defeats since their last win in November 2020, and another loss would set an unwanted record against the All Blacks.

"We're just focusing on ourselves," Wilson said, with Australia having previously lost 10 straight Tests against the All Blacks in 2008-10.

"We've had a good week of preparation. We were pretty close last weekend and know what we need to fix up.

"We have a lot of confidence coming into this weekend, playing back on our turf."

G.Palmiero--INP

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