The Rebels without their Super XV top scorer, Danny Kipriani, in their upcoming match against the Reds.
Melbourne Rebels’ Danny Cipriani and Richard Kingi announced that they will not take part in Rebels’ upcoming match against the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park on Friday, May 6th, 2011.
Cipriani is the leading scorer for Rebels in the Super XV tournament and has played in every match so far this season.
Both, Cipriani and Kingi, have been a formidable part of the injury struck Rebels’ side and played their part in Rebels’ three wins, this season.
In their last match against the Waratahs at Aussies Stadium, Rebels left out fly half, Danny Cipriani. James Hilgendorf was preferred to play over Cipriani as fly half and therefore, Cipriani came on to the field during the 55th minute of the
game as centre, replacing Stirling Mortlock.
Both, Cipriani and Kingi, have been charged with a violation of Rebels’ team protocol. Both players stayed out late after Saturday night's loss to the Waratahs in Sydney and it is reported that the Rebels’ off field club leader, Tim Davidson, had specifically
warned both of them not to do so.
"We have taken this action due to a breach of team protocol", said the off-field Rebels’ leader and player.
The decision of withdrawing from the squad for the weekend encounter against the Reds came when both players appeared before Rebels’ Standard Group, earlier today.
The group emphasized that they were very disappointed with the players’ actions that has made them appear before the team. However, the group reaffirmed that they will not hesitate from making strict decisions in order to ensure that the Rebels’ team standards
and protocols are properly imposed and followed by all team members.
Commenting on the decision, Rebels’ chief executive officer (CEO), Ross Oakley, said, "Both players defied a team directive to abstain from staying out late on Saturday night, given the six-day break ahead of our next game”.
This is Cipriani’s second incident since he joined the super rugby’s new entrant side earlier in the season.
In February 2011, after Rebels first ever game in the super rugby, Cipriani stole a bottle of Vodka from behind the bar of a Chapel Street nightclub. He was fined an undisclosed amount for this action.
Both incidents happened after the Rebels matches against the Waratahs.
Over the past few weeks, Cipriani has been in the news for one reason or another, whether it’s his tackling issues or the news that his tenure with the Rebels is nearing its end.
The fact is that after an initial few months of staying away from off field events, Cipriani has been found to be indulging in them again.
It was rumoured that England might include Cipriani in their Rugby World Cup 2011 squad, after some of his impressive performances in earlier matches.
However, the disciplinary issues might cost Cipriani his place in England’s regular side.
Tags: