Vodacom Super Rugby
Cipriani won't quit Rebels
2011-04-15 08:08
Melbourne - Danny Cipriani has no intention of quitting the Melbourne Rebels at the end of the season, the former England flyhalf has told local media.
The Rebels signed Wallabies back Kurtley Beale from the Waratahs on Thursday amid speculation Cipriani might be off back to Europe after the team's debut season in Vodacom Super Rugby.
Although Beale now plays at fullback for his country, he started his career at flyhalf and has been playing in the number 10 shirt for the Waratahs for the last couple of weeks.
Cipriani had a slow start to his career in Australia but is now displaying the talent and flair that saw him playing Test rugby when barely out of his teens.
"I signed a two-year deal when I initially signed and I'm happy with the situation I'm in right now," Cipriani told The Australian. "I'm enjoying my time here, enjoying the season. We're going really well and I'd like to see us keep improving and moving forward."
Cipriani, fined A$5 000 ($5 271) by the Rebels for a nightclub prank that went wrong in February, said he had succeeded in rediscovering his love of the game.
"At the beginning it was a tough start to be away from home and your family and friends," Cipriani added. "But the Rebels really embraced me and took me in and I felt like one of them.
"I came out here to rediscover my love for the game because I was really close to not playing it for very much longer last year. And it's done everything I wanted it to do. I'm loving rugby again and playing with a smile on my face."
The 23-year-old is still holding out hopes that England manager Martin Johnson might be impressed enough with his form to come calling in time for this year's World Cup, the report said.
The Rebels, who have blown hot and cold in their inuagural season, face the Highlanders in Melbourne on Friday looking for their fourth win in eight matches.