James Slipper eyes Wallabies record after re-signing with Rugby Australia

The new deal sets up the possibility of the 127-cap international becoming the most-capped Australian Super Rugby player, and most-capped Wallaby.

Former Brumbies and Australia scrum-half George Gregan holds the record for the most Test caps for the Wallabies with 139 appearances.

Slipper˜s professional career started at the Reds academy and he made his Super Rugby debut for his home state as a 20-year-old against the Waratahs in 2010.

He continued his meteoric rise later that year when he made his Wallabies debut against England as a 21-year-old in Perth. He would go on to feature in every Test for the Wallabies in what was his first year in the professional ranks.

Highly rated due to his ability to cover both sides of the scrum, Slipper's reputation only grew after his maiden season, and he played in all but one match during the Reds' victorious 2011 Super Rugby title campaign - the Grand Final win over the Crusaders in Brisbane which he missed through injury.

In 2015, he took over the Reds' captaincy and went on to make 104 appearances for men from Brisbane.

A move to Canberra and the Brumbies in 2019 helped reinvigorate his career and Slipper is now a firm favourite among the two-time Super Rugby champions' supporters having played 65 times for the Brumbies to date.

Slipper is delighted to have signed a new contract with the Brumbies and Rugby Australia.

"I'm really happy at the Brumbies and I'm really grateful for the club's support in making this possible," he said. "I'm a loyal bloke and the Brumbies have shown a lot of faith in me so I'm more than happy to repay that. Canberra is a home for me now, and I'm loving my rugby.

"I've always said if I can continue to contribute to the Wallabies and Australian rugby I would, and I know I've got to continue earning the right to play for my country, but finishing up my international career with a Lions Tour is certainly something I'm aiming for."

Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is happy that Slipper is extending his stay in Australia.

"James is a world-class prop who epitomises what it means to be a Wallaby," he said. "He's a strong leader within the group and someone who will be important for the team moving forward."

Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham echoed Jones' sentiments.

"Keeping James past this season is huge for us and I'm thankful to the club, Rugby Australia and Slips for getting this over the line," he said.

"It's difficult to quantify Slips' impact on our team with his leadership and experience but he has had a tremendous impact on this club and is still putting quality performances out on the field so he'll continue to be an important player for us moving forward."