Playing in a backline bulging with Wallabies, Danny Cipriani can make or break his rugby career this Super Rugby season at the Melbourne Rebels.
Coach Damien Hill said Cipriani had the perfect opportunity to play his best footy and get his England international career back on track.
The 24-year-old five-eighth showed his intentions with a standout performance in the Rebels’ second trial, against the Blues at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Despite the 31-21 loss, the Rebels were impressive across the park in the opening half when they fielded their top line-up, and led 18-7 at the break before a Blues fight-back.
Combining with Wallabies, fullback Kurtley Beale, inside centre James O’Connor and halfback Nick Phipps, as well as winger Mark Gerrard, Cipriani had a major hand in both of the Rebels tries.
He also pulled off a try-saving tackle; defence usually exposed as his biggest weakness. Hill didn’t want to make too much of the performance in a trial match and spread his praise across the side.
He said that he believed Cipriani, who last season was stood down from playing for five weeks due to his off-field antics, enjoyed sharing the spotlight and pressure with O’Connor and Beale.
“He has a great opportunity if he takes it,” Hill said.
“Whenever you get backline of the quality that we have and you’re the first receiver, the No.10, it’s your responsibility to make sure you lead.
“It’s the same for Nick (Phipps) and a number of other players.”
Hill believed Cipriani, who played seven Tests for England in 2008 before being cut, had matured in his second year in Australia.
“I think he’s focusing mainly on how he’s best going to perform on the paddock rather than off the paddock.”
Melbourne play the Crusaders in their final trial next Saturday night at AAMI Park and then have a first-round bye before taking on NSW on Friday March 2 in their opening Super Rugby match.
League convert Cooper Vuna was another star for the Rebels while the forwards proved they were more than up to the task following the retirement of prop Greg Somerville.
“They really stood up,” Hill said.
“That Blues pack is a formidable pack so it was good to see us hold our own.
“I thought Gareth Delve was very strong, Tom Chamberlain played well, Hugh Pyle had another good game, as did Ged Robinson.”
HardcorePrawn
Guest
No joy there: Cipriani's dad is from Trinidad & Tobago, presumably of some Italian heritage, but probably not likely to be enough for him to turn out for the Azzurri at any time. Although... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_and_Tobago_national_rugby_union_team
PGNEWC
Guest
I hear that that all Italy is lacking is a quality no 10 to become a first tier nation -- I know he is English but with a name like Cipriani -- well it make you wonder?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Cipriani, JOC and Beale is the most creativity in any subinternational backline, and Vuna looks like he's getting his act together too. Phipps is an international scrum-half, but it would be good if another couple of good backs were thrown in. Cipriani is the most talented fly-half in the northern hemisphere by a country mile if England remember that Martin Johnson is no longer coaching the team and that therefore they don't need to follow his imbecilic selection policies.
Clive WW
Guest
Danny is the most naturally talented player I have ever seen and if he can deliver consistent performances this year he can walk back into the England team as Hodgson and Flood are so limited in their play. Danny will play for England in the next World Cup and is likely to be kicking the winning points in the final following a spectacular break he will have fashioned out of nothing. Genius!
johnny-boy
Guest
It's about all he's good for imo - if that. Englands calling Danny. Actually it's a fake duck call but dont let reality spoil your view of the world. You havent so far, why change now.
HardcorePrawn
Guest
I noticed during Danny's first game for the Rebels at Aami (the trial match against Canterbury) that some groups of quite vocal girls were in attendance and seemed quite taken with him. If, as has been reported elsewhere on the Roar's website, Super Rugby crowds are dwindling, the Rebels would do well to capitalise on his pretty-boy image while they still have him.
AussieKiwi
Guest
I really hope he does well too, I think the game really needs the colourful characters (who are generally exciting players), such as Cipriani, SBW, and QC. They add to the excitement and pull in the crowds. They have supporters of both sides in a state of nervous excitement, because with them anything can happen, from brilliance to brain snap. This is a good thing!
HardcorePrawn
Guest
I realise that he comes in for a lot of stick, and doesn't help himself with his off-field antics, but I'd like to see Danny do well for the Rebels this year. When he was on form he was probably one of the best goal kickers in the competition last year; remember the win against the Brumbies in Round 2? Aside from Mortlock's try he scored all of the Rebels' points and had the resolve to slot home the winning penalty with seconds to spare. If he keeps in mind that he's putting himself in the shop window prior to a move to Europe at the end of his contract then he should do well. If he treats this final year as something akin to a back-packer's overseas jaunt (as he did at times last year) then he's going to find it really difficult to find a new team at the end of the season and could have the potential to become one of Rugby's nearly-men, leaving behind a legacy of "what-if"s.
WoobliesFan
Guest
But I wonder if the Wallabies relish playing with Cipriani?