Gareth Delve and Danny Cipriani face up to a humiliating opening defeat against the Waratahs
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Following the Melbourne Rebels' chastening opening day Super Rugby defeat to the Waratahs, the Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden predicts a tough season for the Rebels and questions the influence of Danny Cipriani.
"It will be an excruciatingly long season for the Melbourne Rebels, and the Waratahs should finish on top of the Australian conference if they continue using their opportunities as wisely as they did last night.
"The Rebels went for the old bump and grind physical game, and compressed themselves in the middle of the field. That played right into the hands of an excellent Waratahs defensive line, which sucked all the energy out of the Rebels.
"Also the Rebels were so giddy by having to run around and around in circles pre-game trying to deny there was a problem with their star signing Danny Cipriani. There was a discipline issue, but that apparently was a long time ago. Hmmmm. What cannot be avoided is that it is very strange for a new province's big name to be sitting on the bench for their first game."
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