Danny Ciprianni re-states his commitment to Rebels – Rugby news
Former England international fly half, Danny Ciprianni, has expressed his determination to complete his two-year contract with the Australian Super Rugby franchise, Melbourne Rebels.
Ciprianni had at the start of the season signed a two-year contract with the AAMI Park based Super Rugby debutant squad. Alongside his injuries, Ciprianni is well known for many different disciplinary issues that have plagued him over the years. Some critics
consider his disciplinary infractions the main reason behind his departure from the English Test team. His first year at the Rebels was full of incidents that include stealing a bottle of alcohol from a bar followed by violations of the team curfew. Both incidents
occurred after the Rebels Super XV encounters against the Waratahs.
Ciprianni has been the Rebels top scorer in the Super XV but his rule-breaking has cost him his place in the sides for the last few matches of the season. Ciprianni finished the tournament with 108 points that includes 25 penalties, 14 conversions and a
try.
Following his sidelining from the Rebels and the signing of Kurtley Beale followed by James O’Connor’s, Ciprianni was reported to be in talks with the French Top 14 sides for a possible switch.
The 23-year-old Ciprianni denounced any such move and confirmed his stay with the Rebels until the completion of the contract. Commenting on his performance during the season, Ciprianni said, “Obviously there's been a lot of highs and there's been a lot
of lows, It's been disappointing in parts and I've got to realize it's a new club with new cultures and the way they deal with stuff - perhaps in other places it might have been different.”
Commenting on the different disciplinary issues that he has faced at the Rebels, the former Wasps fly half Ciprianni said, “I've never done anything illegal or too far out, but I do have to realise I'm in a different country with different rules and to make
sure we move forward. Here they're very strict on the five-star policy and their culture and I've got to abide by that.”
Ciprianni further added that being sidelined from the game and watching the game from the bench has changed his approach to the game. He further added that he will not switch back to his old ways and continue to build on his new attitude.
Ciprianni has expressed satisfaction about his on field performance and expects to do the same off the field. He said, “I'm hopefully making an improvement in my performance on and off the field because I want to try and be a leader on it... you have to
be [a leader] off it to make sure you [are on it].”
Ciprianni has been left out of Martin Johnson’s provisional World Cup squad. However, playing with the likes of Beale and O’Connor will definitely help his cause for a return to the national side.
Tags: