Lipman fuming after snub

Former England flanker has move to the Rebels blocked

Last updated: 17th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lipman fuming after snub

Lipman: Blocked

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Former England and Bath flanker Michael Lipman has demanded a meeting with Australian Rugby Union bosses after they blocked his proposed move to the Melbourne Rebels.

Lipman had been offered the chance to relaunch his career at the new Super Rugby franchise after his ban for failing to take a drugs test expired.

However, despite agreeing to join fellow England international Danny Cipriani at the Rebels, the ARU have refused to sanction the move.

And the 30-year-old, who was capped 10 times by England, now wants to meet with the ARU after it was claimed Lipman did not meet the range of criteria for overseas signings.

Lipman told The Australian: "I'd personally like to have a meeting with (ARU chief executive) John O'Neill and (ARU high performance manager) David Nucifora and have a chat with them about this. It's my life. It's my career."

Retired

The ARU have already welcomed Lipman's former Bath team-mate Justin Harrison back to the Brumbies after he served an eight-month drugs ban - leading to suggestions of double standards.

Lipman, along with Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins, had charges for drug use dropped at the outset of a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing following an end-of-season celebration, but the trio were banned for twice failing to take a test.

Crockett has subsequently returned to action with Bristol, while Higgins immediately retired as a result of the ban.

And Lipman admits the decision by the ARU to refuse to allow him to join the Rebels has forced him to consider following Higgins by quitting the game.

"I don't want to say I'm thinking of giving up but it has crossed my mind," said Lipman.

Comments (9)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Jez I says...

Only one reason for this. The ARU don't forgive.Lipman was born in London but was brought up in Australia, where he played for the under 21 New South Wales and Australian teams, and played for the Warringah rugby club, as well as playing for Waratahs 'B'.

Posted 12:59 31st March 2010

Harry Graham says...

Not being funny but Hes a quality player and would make an awesome asset to the team ... No one is perfect and most of the time deserve a second chance .. The charges were even stopes so who is to say he even took drugs .. To be honest though if it means a player of his quality stays in England the ARU can do one ..

Posted 11:21 18th March 2010

Bruce Wallingong says...

I don't see what all the fuss is about, he's a quality player who wants to play his rugby in Oz, we need as many experienced players as possible if we're going to stand any chance in next seasons S15 tournament. He pleaded guilty for the drugs offence, so it should be put behind him and let him crack on with the rest of his career. If every player who ever dabbled in drugs was banned for life and never given the chance, we would be punishing them above and over the crime...

Posted 16:04 11th March 2010

Joe W says...

Sorry Dave C but I couldn't disagree more. You clearly have not seen the mess that drugs can get some people into. A "slap on the wrist" is no good, what kind of an example would it be setting. Next you will be saying the punishments for gouging are to long.

Posted 22:56 8th March 2010

Jezza Jezza says...

double standards by the ARU...Harrison allowed back but Lipman move blocked...don't think he has a chance of meeting with them though....In would personally like to see him sue the ARU as a restictment of trade, but the most important part will be how much the rebels really want him

Posted 19:38 8th March 2010

Greg C says...

Why is anybody surprised. Why should he be allowed to play in australia he has embaressed his own union why on earth would you take a risk on a man like that?

Posted 17:32 8th March 2010

Will Pring says...

''It's my life. It's my career''. If you were so worried about your career Mr Lipman, you would have steered clear of drugs or at the very least taken a drugs test when you knew full well that not taking it would lead to your implication in this scandal. I can only see you stopping your careers progress, not the ARU

Posted 15:38 8th March 2010

Dave C says...

Give the bloke a chance! He's had a big slap on the wrist and will forever have to put up with murmerings on the touch lines. Lesson learnt. I think the Super 15 will suit his style of play and as he must be bursting to play, he could do very well out there. If 'the plank' is allowed to play in the competition after the ban, then the ARU should definately explain their decision to block his move.

Posted 13:58 8th March 2010

Rugby First says...

The ARU obviously want people in Melbourne who want to play rugby as opposed to jumping off the walls..... Fair call, he wants to play rugby for england, why invest more AUD into him as already has been.

Posted 12:52 8th March 2010
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private