Danny Cipriani is rumoured to be considering his future in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels, although the Australian club are hopeful of keeping hold of the former Wasps man.
Cipriani has enjoyed a successful start to his career down under, helping the sports betting underdogs to 9th in the overall Super Rugby standings. Cipriani was also heavily involved as the Rebels secured their first ever away win at the expense of the Western Force in their last game before last week’s bye.
However the fly-half has been linked with a return to England, while the New South Wales Waratahs are also rumoured to be interested in securing the services of the talented 23-year-old. Rebels scrum-half Nick Phipps has also been said to be considering his future.
But Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen is confident both men will extend their stay with the newly formed franchise, and has dismissed rumours that they will move elsewhere come the end of the season.
“This time of year, you get all those reports coming through,” Macqueen told AAP. “We are talking to some players, obviously we’ve got to think about succession planning.”
“I think you’ll find Phipps and Cipriani are pretty secure, they’re pretty happy with where they are and we’re pretty happy obviously with the way they’re playing at the moment.”
MacQueen will now turn his attention to ensuring the Rebels continue their positive start to the season, but faces a tough task as his young team come up against the likes of the Highlanders, Blues, Waratahs and Reds in the coming weeks after taking a welcome break from the action last week.
“We’ve had seven really tough rounds of rugby … it gave us a chance to freshen up,” vice-captain Gareth Delve said. “The boys were a bit achy, a bit sore and we get a few back as well. The cavalry will come in now and lift the spirits around the club, lift a bit of energy.”