With his 100th Test in the books James Slipper now wants to improve on a 53 per cent winning percentage as the leader of a young Wallabies pack.
The 31-year-old’s night was shortlived at Suncorp Stadium, Slipper forced off in the shadows of halftime after dislocating his elbow.
But the pain was dulled by a 24-22 win, the Wallabies’ first under new coach Dave Rennie after a draw and two comprehensive losses against the All Blacks this series.
The former Queensland Reds captain has rediscovered his best at the Brumbies since being punted from Ballymore for two positive drug tests in 2018.
He said he had been flattered by the constant well wishes that came his way in a “really special week”.
“Short story, no, when you set out – I’m sitting next to Tom Wright now who’s debuted – you never think about playing 100 Tests,” the prop said.
“I had some twists and turns and am very surprised that I’ve actually made it here, but at the end of the day I really want to win.
“One hundred is good, but winning is better and we need to do more of that.”
Slipper has at least two more seasons in Canberra and after earning starting status for Rennie is confident he can play a role in a side that has already featured 10 fresh faces – with an average age of 22 – in Rennie’s four games in charge.
“I’ve enjoyed my last two years in Canberra, seeing players like Tommy (Wright) come in, (Lachie) Swinton, (Angus Bell) Belly,” Slipper said.
“Direction wise, I’m really excited and we’ve just got to be more consistent, not leave it until the last game of a series, a dead rubber, to win.”
The victory was Australia’s seventh straight at Suncorp Stadium and made it two wins, a draw and a one-point loss against the All Blacks in their past five games at the stronghold.
But their form away from Brisbane hasn’t matched that, Saturday’s win enough to keep Australia narrowly ahead of Scotland at No.6 in the world.
Captain Michael Hooper said it was important they kept that in mind as they build towards the 2023 World Cup.
“It’s a good start isn’t it, for them and we want to make that the norm,” he said.
“We make no bones about where we want to go as a team and those guys are going to be a big driving factor in that.
“So bottling that feeling of pushing each other and demanding more out of each other and vice versa from the top down is going to be important to go where we want to go.”
WALLABIES DEBUTANTS IN FOUR GAMES UNDER RENNIE
* Harry Wilson (20), Hunter Paisami (22), Filipo Daugunu (25), Noah Lolesio (20), Irae Simone (25), Tate McDermott (22), Fraser McReight (21), Lachie Swinton (23), Tom Wright (23), Angus Bell (20).
