Brumby has grand plans to ride Hurricanes into history
Sebastian Tan |
If prop James Slipper had the choice between keeping his historic milestones or steering the Brumbies to a Super Rugby Pacific grand final, he would choose the latter.
After a season in which he has become the most-capped Super Rugby player ever, chalked up 100 appearances for the Canberra-based side and scored a crucial try in the ACT’s hoodoo-busting win over the Crusaders in February, Slipper is now looking to achieve something he’s yet to do: make a decider with the Brumbies.
“I’ve always played the game for the team. Team milestones and team achievements come before the individual,” he told AAP.
“In my mind, celebrating with your teammates after a win or finals win or whatever is why you play the game.”
But to feature in the big dance, Slipper and his Brumbies must first defy Australia’s dismal 0-21 record against Kiwi teams in New Zealand when they play the Hurricanes on Friday night in a qualifying final in Wellington.
They will be heavy underdogs in the do-or-die clash, especially after their table-topping opponents thumped them 45-12 in Super Round, before the Brumbies suffered a shock 21-19 loss to the cellar-dwelling Moana Pasifika last Saturday.
But Slipper, who said the Brumbies needed a mindset change, isn’t writing off his team just yet.
He knows his role will be crucial on Friday, and he will draw on his 2011 experience of winning the competition with the Queensland Reds.
“At the time I thought I’d get another one, but I haven’t been back there since, so it’s been a bit of a dry run,” Slipper said.
“It shows how hard it is to get there. The Brumbies winning a title motivates me. That’s probably why I want to keep playing.”
Another player desperate to make the most of his season is back-rower Charlie Cale, whose shoulder injury stalled his glittering start for the Brumbies.
Cale lamented the setback as his Wallabies dreams were again dented after he missed a large chunk of last season with back spasms.
However, he now feels he’s put all the “yucky” stuff behind him and is ready to make his case for a national team return.
“I missed a lot of footy last year, and even missed a little bit of footy this year, so it would be very, very special for me if I got back in there (Wallabies),” Cale told AAP.
“It’s completely out of your hands, so you can’t really worry about the things you can’t control, so I’m fully focused on the Brumbies situation at the moment.”
The Hurricanes will be boosted by the return of co-captain Jordie Barrett (hamstring injury), while hooker Asafo Aumua, tight-head prop Pasilio Tosi and Du’Plessis Kirifi (shoulder) are also back.
AAP