Wallabies great Justin Harrison has labelled James Slipper’s impending retirement backflip as an “indictment on Australian rugby.”
Nine.com.au reported on Wednesday that Slipper, the most-capped player in Wallabies history, had agreed to end his short-lived Test retirement and make himself available for selection in July’s Nations Championship.
James Slipper of the Wallabies walks off the field for his final game through a guard of honour. Getty
The prop was given a guard of honour by the All Blacks and gave an emotional post-match speech after he played his last Test in Perth on October 4.
But with Slipper still performing strongly for the ACT Brumbies, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt had convinced the 37-year-old that he had more to offer in the international arena.
“The indictment on Australian rugby is that James Slipper – we love him and he’s playing good rugby – is that someone hasn’t taken his position and really made it their own. That’s the indictment,” Harrison said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
Angus Bell, on sabbatical in Ireland with Ulster, is Australia’s leading loosehead prop but depth in the position took a blow when Slipper’s Brumbies teammate Blake Schoupp injured his foot in the qualifying final loss to the Hurricanes.
Schmidt is set to name his first Wallabies squad of the season before the Super Rugby grand final on June 20.
Western Force winger Zac Lomax is managing a groin injury and is not expected to be picked as Australia prepares for a sold-out clash with Ireland in Sydney on July 4.
Harrison wouldn’t pick Lomax even if he was fit.
“It’s not a club team, this is our highest national rugby team,” he said.
“It’s got to be rarefied air, and I’m just not sure if you introduce someone into a gold environment, thinking about the version of them in a year and a half, not right now.”
Carter Gordon, Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith are the leading playmaking contenders with Tom Lynagh still working his way back from injury.
“Ben Donaldson has been one of the best Australian rugby players in Super Rugby Pacific 2026,” Cameron Shepherd said on Rugby Heaven.
“Ball in hand, great ball running, his distribution’s been fantastic. He’s polished his game, as far as kicking is concerned, that’s at goal and in field. A great 50-22, in the last round against the Waratahs. It was just a classy kick.
“I think he’s a perfect example of someone that you’re gonna see straight back into the Wallabies squad and competing for a starting position.”
Harrison added that Brumbies veteran Ryan Lonergan was overdue a shot as the starting scrumhalf.
“He has been performing exceptionally well inside a team that, let’s face it, has been on a bit of a rollercoaster… exceptional for the Brumbies through the whole season. Ryan Lonergan has given enough of a library of evidence to be starting for the Wallabies.”
Meanwhile, Rugby Australia announced on Friday that Schmidt would continue to be involved in their programme after his Wallabies commitments end in July.
Schmidt will help coach the Australia A side with Stephen Larkham (Brumbies) and Simon Cron (Force).
Australia A’s fixtures for 2026 will be released later this month.
“We are pleased to have assembled a highly credentialed and experienced Australia A coaching staff for this year,” RA director of high performance, Peter Horne said.
“To have Stephen, Simon, and Joe driving this program will ensure our next cohort of players get access to an elite level environment where they have the opportunity to grow and develop their games.
“With the home World Cup firmly on the horizon, building genuine depth is one of our key priorities and this campaign will allow us to do exactly that.”