Vodacom Super Rugby
Cipriani leaves Rebels
2012-04-30 07:07
Melbourne - England flyhalf Danny Cipriani
on Monday parted ways with the Melbourne Rebels, four months before his
contract was due to end, reports said.
The 24-year-old was
expected to leave at the end of the Super Rugby season to take up a
three-year contract with the Sale Sharks, but he was let go early, the
Herald Sun reported.
Cipriani, who has played seven Tests for
England, has been under pressure to hold down the flyhalf spot for the
Rebels since the arrival of Wallaby James O'Connor from the Force.
Reports
said that with his form waning and believing his motivation was gone,
the club, which was not immediately available for comment, decided to
pay out Cipriani's contract.
The former Wasps playmaker was once
regarded as the heir apparent to Jonny Wilkinson when, in his first Test
start at No 10, he produced a commanding display in a 33-10 win over
Ireland at Twickenham in 2008.
But his fledgling international
career has been blighted by injuries and his attitude has also been
called into question after several training ground spats.