In a strategic career move, James Slipper, the seasoned Wallabies prop, is stepping into a coaching role with the Brumbies. Slipper will serve as the interim scrum coach for the Canberra-based team after their usual coach, John Ulugia, transitioned to a similar position with the Wallabies.
Having recently extended his contract with the Brumbies for another year, Slipper has chosen to focus on coaching during the Super Rugby AUS season. He expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, hoping to leverage his deep experience from years in the scrum.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been around a lot of scrums over the years, so hopefully I can pass on a bit of what I’ve learnt and help the boys get better,”
Although he will not compete this season, he remains a vital part of Stephen Larkham's coaching ensemble. Slipper's transition from player to coach marks a significant shift in his illustrious rugby career, characterized by his record 154 Test appearances, the most by any prop in international rugby history.
Slipper's experience isn't just vast; it's varied. Over the years, he has accumulated 212 Super Rugby caps and has absorbed countless lessons from playing alongside and against top-tier front-rowers, as well as from working under skilled scrum coaches. He is eager to pass this knowledge to the Brumbies' emerging forwards.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with and against some really good front-rowers and work with some really good scrum coaches, so I’ve picked up plenty along the way,”
The opportunity to shape the next generation excites Slipper, yet he acknowledges that he too has much to learn in this new chapter of his rugby life. The Brumbies' young forwards are eager to learn, and Slipper is committed to providing them with valuable insights without trying to overhaul the existing system.
James Slipper joined the Brumbies in 2019, moving from the Reds where he began his Super Rugby career in 2010. While he won't be playing, Slipper will still be closely observing the Brumbies' performances, especially the scrum, during the Super Rugby AUS matches. The team is set to face the Waratahs at the Bungendore Sports Hub this Sunday in their first match of the season.
Slipper’s new role underscores his commitment to the Brumbies and his desire to give back to the sport that has given him so much. As he embarks on this coaching journey, the rugby community will no doubt be watching eagerly to see how his wealth of experience translates into coaching success.
