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Most Australian rugby fans probably know very little about Danny Cipriani, as it seems do most Australian journalists. They hear some vague ideas of a reasonably talented prima-donna drifting across the hemispheres, a player given chances to establish himself at international level but unwilling to conform to team discipline and ruining his own career as a result.
All of this is nonsense: here’s the truth.
First, regarding his talent, Cipriani is a 24-carat genius, a staggeringly brilliant and blindingly fast playmaking outside half. There has rarely been a player in this position in the recent history of the game with such a mesmeric combination of spatial vision, astonishing pace and charmed hands. He is not simply a big talent, but as big talent as ever appears.
Secondly, his history.
In 2008 he burst onto the scene as the dominant fly-half in the English game, shredding defences left and right as if they were made of paper, and forcing his way into the England team for the final match of the Six Nations against Ireland, duly shredding the lines of green, kicking all his goals, and leading what had been a struggling team to a triumphant victory.
The week before he had also been selected at full-back, but dropped after the press photographed him leaving a nightclub on the thursday before the match.
This, combined with the existence of a celebrity girlfriend, led to the creation in the media of the myth that he is a lackadaiscal playboy, more interested in his own image than perfecting his game and unwilling to do anything authority tells him.
The wise, experienced England coach at the time, Brian Ashton, was then subsequently fired and replaced by Martin Johnson, a newcomer to the world of managing and coaching at any level.
Cipriani was injured badly, and then in the autumn rushed in prematurely by Johnson.
He didn’t play as well as he might, but was more hampered by the dreadful assembly of backs selected outside him who squandered every pearl of creativity cast at them and by the dire, confused overall performance of the team under its new management.
Johnson fully believed the media myth that Cipriani was a playboy, and proceeded to impose a bully-boy discipline on him, dropping him, humiliating him by choosing numerous and often inept outside-halves above him, in the hope that the young man would come forth on bended knee and declare himself Johnson’s slave. This was the England supremo’s conception of man-management.
The media myth was absurd to begin with, as Cipriani is a serious, hard-working man who occasionally flutters into the media lime-light as he has every right to, but never to the detriment of his game or the team he plays for.
A series of fierce confrontations between the two ensued, as the young genius struggled to understand why Johnson was so bent on destroying his rugby career. In the end he was thrust away forever, Johnson unable to manage him or any challenge to his own authority, and probably incapable of perceving the level of ability he was dealing with too. In despair he left this cursed world and moved to the new hope offered by Rod Macqueen in Melbourne.
Never has there been such a statement of rejection from a player to its management. But then again, never has there been such unsuccessful management.
In this way one of the greatest talents in world rugby was lost to England.
What is England’s loss is Melbourne’s gain.
Macqueen should tread carefully though, as he is receiving severely damaged goods. Cipriani’s confidence and self-esteem have been ground into the dust, his sporting dreams left in tatters.
They must be built up again.
He would naturally much rather be playing for England, and may struggle for motivation.
Lastly, after two years, despite being a committed team player, he has been angrily told he is not, and so the last thing he wants to hear is Macqueen lecturing him on how important the team is.
The wisdom behind Melbourne’s recruiting is obvious now, as the two league players they are interested in, Israel Folau and Manu Vatuvei, are in the ideal positions and at the perfect ages to crossover successfully.
In the past, league converts have normally been hired when they are almost over the hill, and have often failed in consequence. If firepower such as Folau and Vatuvei is put at the disposal of Cipriani, devastating results will ensue.
One thing is certain though, with this man at the helm, from the very first match, Melbourne will be competitive and exhilarating to watch.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.