James Slipper is set to make history as he plays his 200th Super Rugby match, a remarkable achievement for any player. But here's where it gets controversial: while Slipper is a stalwart of Australian rugby, some may argue that his impact has been overstated. Despite this, Slipper's journey to 200 games is an incredible feat, and he's set to become the first Australian player to reach this milestone. Slipper, a veteran of 151 Test matches for the Wallabies, will take the field for the ACT Brumbies against the Crusaders in Christchurch this weekend. The kick-off between the Brumbies and Crusaders will be at 1:35pm AEDT on Sunday. Slipper, a native Queenslander, has played a total of 199 Super Rugby matches, with his 200th game coming against the Crusaders. This is a significant moment for Australian rugby, and Slipper's achievement is sure to be celebrated. But is it enough to make him the greatest Australian rugby player of all time? That's a question for the comments. And this is the part most people miss: Slipper's journey to 200 games has been a long and winding road, with many challenges along the way. Despite this, he's remained a consistent and reliable player, and his impact on the game cannot be understated. So, as Slipper takes the field for his 200th game, let's celebrate his achievement and the legacy he's built. But don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments - is Slipper the greatest Australian rugby player of all time? The Crusaders, meanwhile, are coming off a round one upset loss to the 2025 wooden-spooners, the Highlanders, but will be buoyed by playing at home for the first time in 2026. This will be the third-last match the Crusaders play at Christchurch Stadium before moving to their new home, Te Kaha. The Brumbies have named an unchanged side from the team that overpowered the Western Force in Perth last weekend. The Canberra-based side overcame a sluggish start, going down by 10 points early in the first half, to hammer the Force 56-24 in hot conditions. The impact off the bench for the Brumbies was crucial in securing the win last weekend in Perth, and will again be vital in round two as the team makes the enormous journey across the continent, and then across the Tasman. The season is underway, and the Brumbies are confident, but they remain focused on improving and taking their performance to the next level. The season can be a grind, and the team needs to make sure their whole squad is fit and firing when it counts.
