Melbourne Rebels set to write new conduct clause into wayward star Danny Cipriani's contract
Danny Cipriani will remain in limbo indefinitely unless his management and Melbourne Rebels quickly resolve unspecified issues.
Cipriani's quest for Super Rugby redemption hit another roadblock on Tuesday, as negotiations between his representatives and Rebels powerbrokers continued as the England Test back trained with the club at Visy Park.
Cipriani hopes to win selection for Friday's night's home match against the Stormers, but will not be picked unless he and his backers agree to conditions.
The conditions, believed to have been tabled in a reworked Rebels contract, are thought to relate largely to the fly half's off-field conduct.
Melbourne assistant coach Damien Hill said a decision on Cipriani's immediate future probably would be known on Wednesday, when the team will be announced.
"The administration is in talks with Danny's management at the moment regarding his availability for this week," Hill said.
"It's not ideal, but that's just the way it is at the moment. We find out more about that tomorrow (Wedmesday) when we'll be announcing the team. There are issues there that need to be resolved."
Cipriani has not played for the Rebels since breaching a team pact after the loss to New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on April 30.
Hill admitted Cipriani's controversies had been distracting.
"It's a distraction and I'd be lying if I said we could (not) have done without it," he said.
The Rebels could recall Cipriani as support for Julian Huxley if Jimmy Hilgendorf fails to overcome an ankle injury.
"It's a decision . . . in terms of Jimmy's fitness," Hill said.
Hooker Adam Freier will finally play for the bottom-placed Rebels for the first time, after recovering from back surgery, then a hamstring injury.
"It's been a long road and the timing of the year is insignificant as far as what the outcome will be for the season, but these three games mean absolutely everything to me," Freier said.
"Making it back so far, it's happy days for me at the moment."