Cheika backs Slipper to 'make every post a winner'

Thu, Aug 2, 2018, 5:04 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has no doubt James Slipper has turned his life around after a two-month drugs suspension.

Slipper will return to rugby when he runs out with the Super Rugby Selection on Friday night against Cheika's side.

Cheika was a major part of bringing Slipper down for the game and has been in touch with him throughout his suspension, something for which the Queensland veteran was very grateful.

"He's been a huge contributor to rugby in Australia and to the Reds," Cheika said.

"Everyone trips over every now and then.

"I challenge anyone that hasn't tripped over - i'm keen to meet them if they haven't done that.

"He's got back up now so now he's going to make every post a winner."

Cheika challenged any players involved in Friday night's trial to prove they deserved a Test spot and that included Slipper, though any international comeback would most likely be further down the track.

The 29-year-old has not played any rugby since the Reds' round 13 loss to the Sunwolves in May this year and it will be a slow journey back to the top of his game.

The prop will feature in the NRC later this year after being named in the Queensland Country squad but said on Thursday a conversation with Reds coach Brad Thorn made his Queensland future 'murky'.

Slipper has played 86 Tests for the Wallabies and will likely be looking for a new Super Rugby home in 2019 despite signing a two-year extension at Ballymore before his suspension was handed down.

Thorn has been unmoved in his stance on other exiled Reds players with Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt plying their trades in club rugby this season despite being contracted, due to Thorn's views on team culture.

Cheika has long been a supporter of provincial coaches' autonomy and has not intervened in either of those cases this season.

The Wallabies take on a Super Rugby XV on Friday night in a pre-Bledisloe trial at Leichhardt Oval. The match will be LIVE STREAMED on RUGBY.com.au and will have free entry.

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