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Wallabies workhorse has Super Rugby record in sight

Melissa WoodsAAP
Australia's most capped player James Slipper has another record in sight after signing on for 2026. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconAustralia's most capped player James Slipper has another record in sight after signing on for 2026. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

James Slipper is set to become the most capped Super Rugby player and the second Australian to have played in two British and Irish Lions series after the Wallabies prop signed a contract extension.

The ACT Brumbies stalwart inked a new one-year deal to stay in Canberra for an eighth year and his 16th Super season after making his debut with Queensland back in 2010.

The most capped Australian in the competition, Slipper has made 195 appearances, seven short of fellow prop Wyatt Crockett, who played for the Crusaders from 2006-2018.

Starting in 11 of his 12 matches for the Brumbies this season, the 35-year-old said it was easy to convince him to stay on for another year.

"When there was an option on the table of playing another season for the Brumbies, I couldn't say no," the Gold Coast-born veteran said in a statement.

"My body is still good and I feel the fittest that I have done in a long time.

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"I feel like I am still playing at a high level and contributing to the team. As long as I can do that, I will keep giving my all for the Brumbies."

Slipper also made his Test debut in 2010, aged 21, and has become a key cog in the Wallabies forward pack with his ability to play both sides of the scrum.

He became the most-capped Wallaby last September in the Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks in Sydney, eclipsing fellow Brumbies legend George Gregan.

A certainty for selection next month, Slipper is set to become the second Wallaby in the modern era to face the touring Lions twice, with the series 12 years apart.

Only Brumbies flanker George Smith has achieved the feat, turning out for the 2001 and 2013 Lions tours.

Fellow Wallabies veteran James O'Connor, currently playing for the Crusaders and who face the Brumbies on Friday night, is also hopeful of earning another Lions call-up.

Meanwhile, Queensland have re-signed young centre Josh Flook until the end of 2026.

The 23-year-old, who made his Wallabies debut last year, has had a tough Super campaign after injuring his hamstring in round two.

He's set to return for the final round of the regular season with the fifth-placed Reds hosting Fijian Drua, adding to his 55-game tally.

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