Cipriani to miss South Africa trip

Danny Cipriani is to miss the Melbourne Rebels’ two Super 15 games in South Africa, his club announced in a statement.

Cipriani did not make the 26-strong squad which will take on the Bulls in Pretoria and the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein over the next two weeks.

The fly-half has had a troubled debut season for the new team and has twice found himself foul of club regulations.

Despite being on of the club’s major signings he missed the loss to Queensland on Friday after staying out late following the defeat by New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.

The Rebels announced in a statement: “Following meetings yesterday between the Rebels players, coaches and management, it has been decided that Danny Cipriani will not travel to South Africa.

“Danny will train with the other non-touring players over the next two weeks and will continue his community engagement with local clubs and schools during this time.”

Richard Kingi, who also missed the Queensland match because of the incident in Sydney, was named in the squad for the trip to South Africa.

Cipriani, who was also fined by the Rebels in February following another late-night excursion to a Melbourne nightclub, had moved to Australia following a chequered career with Wasps and England.