Veteran prop has stood tall during a generation of decline and overcome his own battles to become Australia’s most capped player

The future and soon-to-be former Wallabies games record holders walk in together. But as he did for 139 Tests, George Gregan is gone in a flash. It’s James Slipper’s time. An hour prior, the 35-year-old prop was named in the Wallabies side to play the All Blacks for Bledisloe One in Sydney on Saturday. It will be his 140th Test – no Australian has played more.

“It’s a weird feeling,” Slipper says, crouching over our table as he has for a million scrums. “A bit awkward to be overtaking George, a player I idolised and always will.” He shifts and winces. “I feel every one of my Tests in my back and neck but to be honest, the mental side, the drive to get better, to find fun, that’s the real challenge.”