RUGBY UNION
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MOST of the rugby world might be waiting with anticipation to see whether New Zealand can break the world record for consecutive Test victories when they face Australia next weekend.
But James Slipper isn’t.
The Wallabies vice-captain was in no mood to talk up the assignment his team faces in trying to curtail the All Blacks’ winning streak at 17, a mark which puts them level with the 1965-69 All Blacks and 1997-99 Springboks.
He quashed any suggestion that ending their aspirations of creating a new mark was a motivator for the Wallabies.
“To be honest, I really don’t care,” he said during a promotional event at Mount Panorama.
“All we’re focused on is ourselves. If we get ahead and start talking about trying to end that record, we are doing what we do every year and talking them up.
“They are the best side in the world, so we know it will be tough no matter what.”
On a lighter note, the experienced prop said he and his team-mates were keenly anticipating the Waratahs players linking with the squad.
While the rest of the Wallabies group have been in Dubbo and Orange this week on their Bush2Bledisloe tour, squad members who took part in the Waratahs’ winning Super Rugby grand final on Saturday night have been in party mode.
Doubtless the celebrations would have taken their toll on some of the players involved, but it wasn’t something Slipper was too concerned about. He is quietly hoping to see evidence of some harmless shenanigans.
Asked if he expected to discover team-mates who’ve acquired fresh tattoos or missing eyebrows, he couldn’t hide his delight.
“I really hope they do,” he said. “When you win those big milestones, you’ve got to celebrate.
“The ’Tahs have done an amazing job, they have played good looking rugby and they deserved to win the competition.”