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Slipper's Reds future 'murky at best'
By Online Editors
James Slipper's return from a two-month suspension following a failed drugs test will be a step forward into a 'murky' playing future, with Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn taking a hardline stance on drug use.
“I spoke to Brad the week after it all went down and it was clear from that conversation that the future could be murky,” Slipper told reporters.
The two have only spoken once since and Slipper doesn't want to follow the path of other exiled Reds, Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt, to club rugby but he insisted that leaving the Reds won't be an easy decision.
“I’d prefer not to be,” he said when asked about leaving.
“Whether I stay or not, it will be tough.
“It'd be tough to go back, it'd be tough to stay and it'd be tough to go.
“Any option would be pretty hard but right now I haven't really focused on that."
The 29-year-old prop had only just penned a two-year extension with the Reds months prior but Slipper revealed it was personal circumstances that lead to going down a path of self-destruction.
"I had the [Achilles] injury last year and then I lost someone in the family, that was my first loss," Slipper said
"Then my mum was diagnosed again so it was a bit of a whirlwind of a few things.
"It was just hard to deal with and by me stuffing up it was pretty hard, because I didn't want to put that pressure on, especially with mum feeling like she was the reason.
"But the moment I did it was a relief, a ton of weight came of my shoulders.
"I've come a long way because of how I've opened up to people around me and especially the family."
Following the hitout against the Wallabies, Slipper will likely return to play the NRC season with Queensland Country before weighing up his options.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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