Star English import Danny Cipriani has been dropped to the Melbourne Rebels’ bench for Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
Cipriani, whose defence has come into question in recent weeks, has been replaced at five-eighth by James Hilgendorf.
Former Wallabies Mark Gerrard and Stirling Mortlock will form a powerful midfield for the Rebels after being cleared of injury.
Gerrard missed the Rebels’ 40-23 loss to the Blues last round with a hamstring strain, while Mortlock hurt his back in Auckland.
Julian Huxley moves to fullback and Cooper Vuna is relegated to the bench with Peter Betham taking his place on the wing.
Melbourne: Julian Huxley, Lachlan Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Peter Betham, James Hilgendorf, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Michael Lipman, Jarrod Saffy, Hugh Pyle, Alister Campbell, Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Rodney Blake. Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Laurie Weeks, Hoani Macdonald, Tim Davidson, Richard Kingi, Cooper Vuna, Danny Cipriani.
Ben S
Roar Guru
According to Mr Churchill he's playing his rugby in the right place then, eh
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
He has no physical courage - that's always been his problem and I can't imagine that he'll ever change.
Ben S
Roar Guru
You stupid idiot Martin Johnson!
Shahsan
Guest
Good comments, both of you. Well said about Cipriani and his team in general. This was probably close to the strating Rebels team for the first clash with NSW except that Hilgendorf got knocked out after 5-10 minutes, and Vuna has found his truer position (on the wing, i mean, though maybe also bench, on most recent defensive form). The Rebels shoudl be much better this time and the Waratahs have slipped badly since. Could be an upset here.
scarlet
Guest
Spot on Gary, now you can see why he was no great loss to the game in the UK. Talented fly half going forward, but too much a pretty boy who doesn't like rolling up his sleeves and doing the hard work.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Only has himself to blame, ultimate poor performance last weekend and probably cost the Rebels the game. Only pretended to tackle, a bit like Cooper in his first two matches this season. Me thinks that Cipriani is sipping his own bath water and reading what a wonderful player he thought he was. I think his recent performance is indicative of why Johnston doesn't want him in the English side for the WC. I had always wondered why he would chose not to use him when he was a bit short of really good flyhalfs, now we are probably seeing Johnston's point of view. I also thought that Julian Huxley had a terrible game and is lucky to be still in the starting side. Richard Kingi will take over when Julian retires after next year. They will need to get a rocket up their posteriors at the start of the game this week, they are giving away too much start each week. Probably need to smack each other about in the dressing room before the match ala Raudonikis to pep up so they can kick off on the right foot