Slipper chases first Brumbies title as Wellington qualifier looms against Hurricanes

James Slipper has not reached a Super Rugby final since winning the competition with the Queensland Reds in 2011, and the Brumbies prop says ending that drought is the primary reason he is still playing the game.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed a landmark season in Canberra, becoming the most-capped Super Rugby player in history, reaching 100 appearances for the Brumbies, and scoring a crucial try in their hoodoo-busting win over the Crusaders in February. Yet Slipper insists none of those individual milestones compare to what he is still chasing.

“I’ve always played the game for the team. Team milestones and team achievements come before the individual,” Slipper told AAP. “In my mind, celebrating with your teammates after a finals win or whatever is why you play the game.”

His next opportunity comes on Friday night, when the Brumbies travel to Wellington to face table-topping Hurricanes in a do-or-die qualifying final. The assignment is a formidable one: Australian sides have lost all 21 matches played against New Zealand opposition on New Zealand soil, and the Brumbies arrive in poor form after a shock 21-19 defeat to cellar-dwellers Moana Pasifika last Saturday — a result that followed a 45-12 hammering by the Hurricanes themselves during Super Round.

“At the time I thought I’d get another one, but I haven’t been back there since, so it’s been a bit of a dry run,” Slipper said of his sole title in 2011. “It shows how hard it is to get there. The Brumbies winning a title motivates me. That’s probably why I want to keep playing.”

Slipper acknowledged the Brumbies would need a significant mindset shift to defy the odds in Wellington, but stopped short of conceding the tie.

Back-rower Charlie Cale is another Brumby with plenty riding on the qualifier. The loose forward’s promising start to the season was interrupted by a shoulder injury, compounding the back spasms that cost him much of last year. Cale, who has Wallabies ambitions, said he has put the setbacks behind him and is focused on making his case for a national recall.

“I missed a lot of footy last year, and even missed a little bit of footy this year, so it would be very, very special for me if I got back in there,” Cale said. “It’s completely out of your hands, so you can’t really worry about the things you can’t control. I’m fully focused on the Brumbies’ situation at the moment.”

The Hurricanes will be strengthened for the clash by the return of co-captain Jordie Barrett from a hamstring injury, with hooker Asafo Aumua, tight-head prop Pasilio Tosi and back-rower Du’Plessis Kirifi also back from injury.