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Danny Cipriani
Danny Cipriani eager to repay Rebels after overcoming depression
• England fly-half says he has had treatment for depression
• 'I let the Rebels down, but next year will be different'
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James Callow
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 7 July 2011 10.44 BST
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Danny Cipriani
Danny Cipriani has courted controversy during his time with the Melbourne Rebels as much for his off-field behaviour as on it. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Danny Cipriani has promised to rebuild his career with Melbourne Rebels after undergoing treatment for depression.
The former Wasps and England fly-half, who moved to Australia at the start of last season, has been involved in a series of misdemeanours but has expressed his eagerness to improve his behaviour and see out the remainder of his contract with the Rebels, which expires at the end of next season.
"I've been misunderstood and judged unfairly by people who don't know me, but I've realised the only way to handle it is by being responsible and accepting it," Cipriani told the Age.
Cipriani admitted that he had treatment for depression last year after splitting up with his girlfriend, the model Kelly Brook, but the 23-year-old believes he has resolved those issues.
"I suffered from it last year but I'm really good now. I've not had any problems with depression this year. I've not had any treatment for alcohol issues either because I've never had a drink problem," he said.
Cipriani caused controversy in February when he helped himself to a bottle of vodka from a Melbourne nightclub and was fined one match payment by the Rebels players' standards group. "The vodka bottle incident was a silly prank," Cipriani said. "I should not have done it, but I am not a thief. The nightclub knew I wasn't deliberately stealing."
Then in May Cipriani was dropped from the Rebels squad and told that he had "lost the confidence of the club's entire playing group" after staying out late after an away match against New South Wales.
Cipriani has also had to come to terms with his love life being splashed across the Australian media and has been photographed on nights out with Lara Bingle, a model and ex-fiancee of the Australia cricket captain, Michael Clarke.
"It's not easy being linked with every woman I come across," Cipriani said. "Lara is a fantastic person and a good friend and there's nothing more to it."
"I have a right to privacy but I know my private life will always be in the news and I've come to terms with that.
He added: "I let the Rebels down at times this year, but next year will be different. I accept I've got to be more responsible off the field for the good of my team-mates. I see myself as a leader of the team on and off the field, and I don't want any more off-field headlines."
Cipriani is also hopeful of resuming his England career, but while he won his last cap in 2008 and the England manager, Martin Johnson, has ruled out a recall for as long as he remains in Australia, he has stayed in regular contact with Brian Smith, England's attack coach.
"Playing for England is my ultimate ambition. It's why I started playing rugby, and I'm never going to give up on my dream," Cipriani said.
