Cipriani under pressure for Wasps stay
Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:49
Danny Cipriani has admitted that his fine form is putting him under pressure to stay with London Wasps, but the young flyhalf remains committed to join the Melbourne Rebels in the Super 14 next season.
After a man-of-the-match performance in Wasps' impressive win over Gloucester in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Cipriani has admitted he is coming under pressure to stay in London.
Cipriani scored 17 points and was involved in four of Wasps' five tries as they ran out 42-26 winners of Premiership rivals Gloucester to reach the semifinals of European rugby’s second-tier competition.
Now the fifth-placed Guinness Premiership side are entertaining prospects of a domestic and European double, and the precocious No.10 admits that his form has caused some teammates at the club to plea for him to stay.
Speaking after the quarterfinal win, Cipriani said: "After days like that you do receive some taps on the shoulder
to stay. If we win a few trophies you never know," he told the Press Association.
"I have been happy with how I have played in the last couple of games and I just want to keep that going to the end of the season and hopefully help Wasps win two trophies. It is definitely within our grasp."
Despite the hint that he might stay, Rebels coach Macqueen dismissed the concerns, saying Cipriani was signed to the Rebels for a two-year deal with the Australian side and is due to join them at the end of the season.
Cipriani himself has made it clear that he is ready to fulfil his commitment to the Melbourne franchise.
"I am very happy with the decision I have made and I am going to go and play some rugby and learn as much as I can and hopefully return the best player I can," he said.
The Australian adventure is set to be a great learning curve for the young pivot, and Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks is confident Cipriani's move
will only benefit the club in the long term.
"Danny is a Wasps kid, he has been here a long time and this Melbourne thing is a positive experience with a view to bringing him back," said Hanks.
"In my opinion it is a Wasp going down to play in Super 15 and we would love to bring him back. Two seasons in the Super 15 doesn't mean he will miss two seasons up here."
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