Super Rugby
Rebels annoyed by Cipriani no-show
ESPNscrum Staff
October 5, 2010
Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani talks to the media on a visit to Donhead School to deliver £1,000 worth of rugby training kit and equipment as part of Amlin's 2009-10 'man of the match' grass roots initiative, Donhead School, London, England, April 28, 2010
Danny Cipriani did not attend the Rebels' team conference © Getty Images
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Danny Cipriani has made a controversial start to his career with the Melbourne Rebels by failing to attend their pre-season team conference.

The former Wasps and England fly-half blamed visa issues for his no-show but Rebels coach Rod Macqueen was disappointed by his absence.

The majority of the Rebels squad for next season's Super Rugby season assembled in Melbourne as their naming-rights sponsor was announced and will now take part in a four-day team session.

"Danny's telling us he's had problems with his visa," Macqueen told AAP. "We're working together with his management at the moment.

"We're disappointed he's not here but the last conversation we had with Danny, he's due to come in here next week."

Cipriani has recently been keeping in shape by training with various football teams, including Premiership sides Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. He also spent time in the United States with Major League Soccer franchise Colorado Rapids.

"There's an issue with the visa coming out of the English side of things. That's not to say it probably couldn't have been done a couple of months ago," Macqueen said. "I won't get into that at this stage. We've been told he's not far off and will be here next week."

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