Rugby: Cipriani axed for All Blacks
Updated on 25 November 2008
Martin Johnson drops Danny Cipriani from the England starting line-up that will face New Zealand on Saturday.
21-year-old Cipriani has been widely criticised for his performance against Australia and South Africa during the autumn internationals. He will be replaced by Toby Flood at number 10.
Cipriani will instead start the game on the bench.
Johnson made two other changes to the line-up. Nick Kennedy will replace Tom Palmer at lock to earn his second cap, and Michael Lipman comes in for open-side flanker Tom Rees.
Andrew Sheridan stays out of the squad having failed to recover from a neck injury, but inside centre Riki Flutey keeps his place after overcoming the hamstring problem which caused him to retire from the pitch against South Africa.
Dan Hipkiss also joins the bench.
"Danny's got a role to play this week, it's just not a starting role," Johnson said. "He's on the bench, as is a number of other good players."
"Danny's got a long future in the international game, but so has Toby Flood. It's a chance for Toby to start. He's had a limited opportunity off the bench and we're looking forward to seeing him play.
"[Cipriani] has been inconsistent in the games, and he will admit that. He's a 21-year-old lad who has done some great things on the field. Most guys aren't on the field at 21 playing test match rugby against the best teams in the world.
"He's got a huge future, but on Saturday his role is to sit on the bench and come off the bench."
Johnson said that Palmer had not been considered because he came off with a calf injury against South Africa. "Nick played the first game [against the Pacific Islands] and then wasn't in the 22 which was harsh on him, but we said at the time he's taken his first step and Saturday's his next step."
He added that Saturday's match would be a "test of our character" after the team's defeat to South Africa. "When you get beaten and you get blown out by the score, it's a tough week."
"It's about guys bouncing back, all of us bouncing back. it happens in sport. If you go out there and play you've got to deal with losing and you've got to deal with games that get blown out. It's about this week now."
Johnson also acknowledged the threat from their opponents on Saturday saying: "If you ever let the All Blacks play they'll look very, very good. We've got to stop them playing."
England: Delon Armitage, Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye, Toby Flood, Danny Care; Tim Payne, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Steve Borthwick (captain), Nick Kennedy, James Haskell, Michael Lipman, Nick Easter
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Matt Stevens, Tom Croft, Tom Rees, Harry Ellis, Danny Cipriani, Dan Hipkiss
