Ruck and Maul: Cipriani set to join Kiwi province as a warm-up for Super 15

Danny Cipriani is ready to kick off his career Down Under by playing for a province in New Zealand. The Wasps fly-half might otherwise be left with an eight-month lag in competitive rugby between the end of the English season in May and the kick-off of the Super 15 with his new team, Melbourne Rebels, early next year. "Danny's a real important signing for us and he's been sensational in our dealings with him," the Rebels' chief executive, Brian Waldron, told Ruck and Maul. "We'd love to welcome him to our beautiful city in June, or he's got the choice of provincial rugby in New Zealand until September or October. I can see him having two good years or even more in Melbourne and then being able to name his own price if he wants to go home." There was no indication which New Zealand province Cipriani might join, though Wellington may have a vacancy as they are reportedly losing All Black utility back Tamati Ellison to a club in Japan before the domestic league, the Air New Zealand Cup, begins in late July. The Rebels will include Cipriani among "six to 10" newcomers – most of them Australians – to be announced tomorrow. They are waiting on Gloucester's No 8 Gareth Delve to decide whether his recall by Wales yesterday has altered his intention to move to Melbourne. The 30-man Rebels squad – to be coached by Rod Macqueen, Damien Hill, Mark Bakewell (formerly with Bath), Matt Cockbain and Nathan Grey – may not get together completely until next January. "It has got to the stage where we will be rejecting overtures from players wanting to join us," said Waldron, a new figure in rugby union after five years as the chief executive officer of Melbourne Storm in rugby league and, before that, management stints in Australian Rules with St Kilda and Richmond.