Aussie latest – Cipriani starts for Rebels
22 Feb 2011
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from Australia’s Super Rugby franchises.
Cipriani starts for Rebels - An injury to James Hilgendorf has paved the way for English recruit Danny Cipriani to start for the Rebels against the Brumbies.
Cipriani came on in the eight minute of their opener against the Waratahs last week but struggled behind a pack that was taking a beating. He’ll want an improved performance in order to convince coach Rod McQueen of his aptitude for Super Rugby.
In other injury news scrumhalf Sam Cordingley misses out with a hip injury, while flanker Hoani MacDonald (hand) is another casualty.
Former Brumby Mark Gerrard starts at fullback for the Rebels, with another Canberra recruit, Julian Huxley, shifted to inside centre. The reshuffle sees Cooper Vuna move to the wing.
Rebels - 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Julian Huxley, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Kevin O’Neill, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessman, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Tom Chamberlin, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Luke Rooney.
3 Comments
22 Feb 2011, 12:24 pm
Rebels must be desparate
22 Feb 2011, 13:10 pm
Macqueen admitted that poor execution cost his team against the Waratahs, and their confidence had taken a big knock.
“It’s a normal thing for us to be disappointed about that [defeat], we had 25,000 people there, it was a big audience, a lot of expectation,” he said.
“We’ve tried to be realistic about it from day one, to say history suggests it’s going to be a difficult year, because the other sides have won one game and nil games, the last two sides that have come into the Super competition.
“But we’re also not saying that’s where we should be … we want to be competitive.”
Macqueen confirmed that the Rebels are looking into recruiting another flyhalf in light of Hilgendorf’s long term absence, but would like to sign an Australian rather than Frenchman Frederik Michalak, who has been linked with the Rebels.
“At this stage, he [Michalak] wouldn’t be available until next year anyway, so I’d say at this stage it is off the cards,” Macqueen said.
“I’ve always said if we can get an Australian or an Australian-eligible [player], we’d much rather do that. But the jury’s still out, we haven’t decided that yet.”
24 Feb 2011, 01:32 am
So Cipriani the tranny-shagger gets a start? Well good luck. And a rugby league player at flanker? Hhhmm big gamble on Jarrod Saffy. He hasn’t played union for nearly 5 years, he will struggle with his positioning at flanker. Its hard enough for leaguies to play winger, let alone the forwards.
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