fiwiboy says...

Interesting to note that James Haskell has been mentioned by England team management as on the verge of a recall for their tour of South Africa (the tour falls into the S15 break) despite still calling Dunedin ``home''.

I'm biased on this but I thought in comparing Cipriani and Haskell's decision to play in SH, Haskell did it for the right reason. To become a better rugby player. He found a team whose style has suited him and it's worked for him (when he's not slugging a South African, that is!)

Cipriani chose the rugby outpost of Melbourne with a team whose forward pack isn't stable enough and so required a marquee player with good defensive skills. The fact Cipriani's defence never improved is also testiment to the quality of coaching he received - look at the Chiefs this year (Waikato, not Exeter) for example, and compare them to the Blues (Auckland, not ... err which NH team is referred to as the Blues?/)!

Posted 01:41 02nd May 2012

new_j4a says...

@blametheref nothing to do with "early launch," mate. It's a question of character. Otherwise how do you explain Giteau, Lambie, Goosen, Jantjies,....and many others. Cipriani would have been a prat if they'd kept him under wraps till he was 40.

Posted 19:43 01st May 2012

lawynd says...

@blametheref - not a bad call actually, I mentioned a similar thing in reverse recently with regards young Irish props heading to England for a few years' experience if they can't get past the incumbents in the provincial sides. This sort of exchange would help both countries get more young players game time.

Posted 13:29 01st May 2012

JRHartley says...

I am probably a loan voice here but am going to say that I am a little disappointed by his departure from the Rebels. I am a paid up Rebels fan who has only missed a hand full of home games since the start of last season. Although Cipriani seemed to drop off the tackles towards the end of last season which was frustrating his attack has often been great (remember that's in light of the fact he's not exactly had an arm chair ride at 10 with the Rebels pack) The try he got against the Sharks last season was among the best individual try I've ever seen. I couldn't care less if he goes out with models and enjoys a drink. I pay to watch him play rugby. The way people are banging on here you'd think he'd got drunk and naked and punched a 60 year old...

Also with O'Connor out let's hope Beale doesn't get a knock as there will be truly nothing in terms of creativity at the Rebels.

Posted 05:40 01st May 2012

firepower says...

good luck Danny ... I would love to see you wearing England No.10 jersey again-- your no.1 fan in the Kingdom of Tonga #ofaatu

Posted 21:57 30th April 2012

StunTheMullet says...

He was sent home due to bad dancing offences against humankind.

Plus he's a liability on and off the field.

Posted 21:19 30th April 2012

NHsaints says...

I'm going to go against the grain here and say he probably didn't do much wrong since his last 'incident' to have his contract ended...I hope he does find his true potential because he's got real talent, he may have only scored 2 tries for the rebels but they were both awesome...

Posted 18:51 30th April 2012

Jediboy says...

Unfortunatly controversy never seems to be too far from Cipriani.

Posted 18:07 30th April 2012

pierredelot1 says...

Oh dear and I thought he was such a good player that The Rebels would be loath to let him go. All that attacking talent, all that self discipine, disciplined trainer, great defence. What went wrong ?????. Tears for souvenirs are all you left me. Sorry I can't continue, cracking up again.

Posted 17:58 30th April 2012

DaveJ says...

JamieTheProp - I think you need to read a few more articles about Cips misdemeanors.

Posted 14:16 30th April 2012