James Slipper will make his return from a two-month drug suspension as part of an Australian Super Rugby selection that will put the Wallabies through their paces ahead of the Bledisloe Cup.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played rugby at any level since May when he ran out for the Queensland Reds in their heavy defeat to the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
Two weeks later, Slipper was issued a two-month ban by Rugby Australia and fined $27,500 after it emerged he had returned a second positive test for cocaine.
But with the ban having expired on July 15, Slipper was summoned by coach John Manenti to play for the composite team that will play a warm-up match against the Wallabies on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.
Slipper, who has been capped 86 times for Australia, is one of four players with Test experience in the squad.
“James’ enthusiasm has really impressed me since we invited him to join,” Manenti said.
“He’s keen to be back out there and training hard but also really wants to get his old Wallabies teammates firing ahead of that first Bledisloe.
“That just shows the character of the bloke.”
Slipper said he was dealing with mental health issues at the time of his drug use but his acceptance of Manenti’s offer and the coach’s ringing endorsement of his application at training suggests he is on the road to recovery.
However, it’s unclear if he will represent the Queensland Reds again given coach Brad Thorn’s zero-tolerance stance against drugs.
Slipper may well have to move interstate to chase his dream of playing for the Wallabies at next year’s World Cup.
Blake Enever, Matt Philip and Richard Hardwick are the other capped players in Manenti’s side, which will be captained by Tom English of the Melbourne Rebels.
Five of the players in the squad are not tied to any Super Rugby team.
“We’ll have some fun this week but make no mistake, we will prepare as best we can to give Cheik’s side a real shake on Friday night,” Manenti said.
“I know how important this game could prove to be ahead of the Bledisloe Cup so we need to play with real accuracy and plenty of intensity straight from the kickoff.”
Entry is free for the warm-up clash, which Cheika has introduced in reaction to their slow start to last year’s Bledisloe Cup series.
1. James Slipper (Bond University/Queensland Reds)
2. Anaru Rangi (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels)
3. Sam Talakai (Box Hill/Melbourne Rebels)
4. Blake Enever (Easts/Brumbies)
5. Matt Philip (Endeavour Hills/Melbourne Rebels)
6. Angus Cottrell (Power House/Melbourne Rebels)
7. Richard Hardwick (Harlequins/Melbourne Rebels)
8. Pat Sio (Eastwood)
9. Moses Sorovi (Wests/Queensland Reds)
10. Andrew Deegan (Wanneroo/Western Force)
11. Filipo Daugunu (Wests/Queensland Reds)
12. Duncan Paia’aua (Norths/Queensland Reds)
13. Tom English – captain (Melbourne Unicorns/Melbourne Rebels)
14. Pama Fou (Eastwood)
15. Semisi Tupou (Box Hill/Melbourne Rebels)
Reserves
16. Hugh Roach (Eastwood/NSW Waratahs)
17. Fereti Sa’aga (Melbourne University/Melbourne Rebels)
18. Mees Erasmus (Easts/Brumbies)
19. Angus Blyth (Bond University/Queensland Reds)
20. Tevin Ferris (Nedlands/Western Force)
21. Mick Snowden (Eastwood)
22. Sam Lane (Manly)
23. Fabian Goodall (Eastwood)
John R
Roar Guru
Here you go Jez: https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/08/01/wallabies-trial-team-announcement
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Also tried to do a proper probables vs possibles but the players pushed to be paid for what was going to be a cost negative event.
John R
Roar Guru
No worries mate,
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, I’ve entered the curmudgeon phase of manhood
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Yeah and when he ran on you couldn’t have knocked the grin off his face with a cricket bat, great to see!
Boomeranga
Guest
Thanks, John.
Nigel
Guest
This cannot be the best opposition team to pick to play the Wallabies, no Sam Carter? Christian Lealeafano, Scott Higginbotham, Quade Cooper?? If he could play for the Babas why can’t he feature here.. Cheika doesn’t want to be beaten hence this second rate team??
John R
Roar Guru
They did in 2013, but it was just against a club team, so the level of competition rendered a bit of a pointless exercise.
John R
Roar Guru
Same mate.
Boomeranga
Guest
Handy, but on the face of it* they could've selected a stronger team. * agree it's always possible blokes we think are available are injured or otherwise unavailable.
Boomeranga
Guest
Were there warmup fixtures in previous coaching eras?
Cole
Guest
Thanks guys, thought it might be, I'll be listening in then!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Angus Blyth got about 10 minutes of Super Rugby time all year and was included.
Fionn
Guest
James Verity-Amm didn't play much at all. I can't even remember if he got a single Brumbies cap? Agree that it's odd though, I would have thought that Carter, Cusack and Muirhead would be three guys that would warrant a chance at the least. Cusack especially.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
May have already been on holidays at the time - which should be expected. The players really only get 3 windows all year to plan a holiday, which will be narrowed to 2 next year. For example, almost all interstate Rebels players made trips home last week.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Perhaps so, but personally if the WB coach was suddenly showing interest in me I would be changing my holiday plans. They’ll be retired before they know it.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure Hockings was already training with the main group as an extended squad member in the same capacity of Stewart and Petaia. I'm interested to understand why Blyth is seemingly rated above Lachie Swinton, Ryan McCauley and Darcy Swain.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That makes sense and shows Cheika's poor planning.
PapanuiPirate
Roar Pro
Word on the grapevine has it that a few players who did not feel like they were in wallabies contention booked holidays and were unavailable.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Agree, also odd that lock Angus Blyth has been picked over Harry Hockings