Super Rugby
Cipriani fined by Rebels
ESPNscrum Staff
March 1, 2011
Rebels fly-half Danny Cipriani celebrates a kick, Melbourne Rebels v Brumbies, Super Rugby, AAMI Stadium, Melbourne, Australia, February 25, 2011
Danny Cipriani has been fined by the Rebels © Getty Images
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Danny Cipriani has been fined by the Melbourne Rebels following a nightclub incident and warned that he will be stood down should he overstep the mark again.

The former England fly-half was fined one match payment for taking a bottle of alcohol at a Prahran nightclub following the Rebels' heavy loss to the Waratahs in their inaugural Super Rugby game on February 18.

Rebels coach Rod Macqueen said the penalty was determined by the club management with the approval of the players' standards group.

"We're all disappointed but I think it's been handled well," Macqueen said. "The players' representatives have looked at that, they've basically supported the club on that and they've worked with Danny on it.

"I'm pleased that it's been done in this way because Danny and the players are now working together, the players haven't separated themselves from Danny."

Macqueen did not rule out the possibility of Cipriani standing down indefinitely should he reoffend, but insisted that each case will be dealt with on merit. "It would be depend what the misdemeanour is," he said. "But the reality is that should something like that happen again he would be standing down from the team which is putting the team culture in front of being a good player."

Macqueen maintained however that the manner in which Cipriani chooses to conduct his private life will remain his own choice. "We'll be treating every one of the players equally and we'll be treating them as adults," he said. "If they don't behave like adults then the repercussions will come."

Despite disciplinary action looming over his head Cipriani excelled as the Rebels picked up their first win last weekend, against the Brumbies. He slotted six penalties, including the match-winner with just nine seconds left on the clock, in a 25-24 victory. The ex-Wasps playmaker released a statement in which he expressed regret over the incident.

"I have apologised for my actions and I regret any embarrassment my behaviour has caused for the Rebels," the statement read. "I am looking forward, focusing on my rugby and contributing positively to the team's culture. If anything else happens along these lines again, I have agreed with the players that I will stand down for an appropriate period of time."

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