- Danny Cipriani earning his keep
Before ‘Cips’ decided to trade in the grey skies of London for the sunny pastures of Melbourne, he caught up with Rugby World to chat about Rocky the Pug, chick flicks and Lil’ Wayne.
RUGBY WORLD: Who are the jokers at Wasps?
DANNY CIPRIANI: Dom Waldouck, Rob Webber and Steve Kefu. We don’t do practical jokes so much, but this is one of the funniest things that’s happened. One day I brought in my dog and when Serge Betsen was sleeping in the physio room I put Rocky on his legs. He felt him climbing up his body, woke up and started screaming – the hardest man in world rugby scared of dogs! I try to steer clear of him on the training field now.
RW: What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on the pitch?
DC: It’s little things like the ref getting pushed or someone falling over. You’re in the zone so don’t notice that much. Steve Kefu got hit in the face once and came up to me and said, “Am I still pretty?”!
RW: Do you have any nicknames?
DC: Cips and Ice Man. I only say that second one in a self-proclaiming way! It’s a cool nickname.
RW: You should try it in Australia. What are the three must-have items you’re taking to Oz?
DC: My dog, Rocky (below). He’ll be in quarantine for 30 days but I can see him every day so that’ll be fine. My Sony Ericsson X10 phone – it has my music and films on it. I really like R&B so I’ve got Jay Z, Dizzee Rascal, Jagged Edge, Maxwell – but I want to add more. The final thing would be my swimming shorts.
RW: Do you have any phobias?
DC: Big heights. I look down and it makes you want to jump. It’s called something… vertigo.
RW: Who’d you like to be stuck in a lift with?
DC: Really small people if it was a tight lift! Or someone with food, like a full trolley from room service. Denzel Washington would be quite cool too.
The Notebook, Singing and his greatest memories…
RW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
DC: To fly. I’ve had dreams about just flying off and I love Superman.
RW: Who’d play you in a film of your life?
DC: Brad Pitt is the obvious choice. He’s a great actor and adapts to every role. Colin Farrell is Irish so he must know a bit about rugby.
RW: And who would play your mum?
DC: Helen Mirren or the lady from The Notebook, Joan Allen.
- Rapper Lil’ Wayne
RW: You like chick flick The Notebook?!
DC: It’s my favourite film. I’ve got in on my phone and I’ll watch it on long away trips.
RW: Who would be your three dream dinner party guests?
DC: Lil Wayne (rapper).
RW: Isn’t he in jail?
DC: I’d ask for special leave for him. Then Will Smith and Adele. I saw her at the Hollywood Bowl and she forgot the words twice but got everyone to love her by being funny. It was really endearing and an amazing performance. Will and Adele could do a duet and teach me something – I can’t sing.
RW: When was the last time you laughed?
DC: In this interview – it’s been fun! I watched The Blind Side the other day and there’s some funny bits in that as well.
RW: What’s the best game you’ve played in?
DC: The 2003 Daily Mail U15 Cup final for Whitgift v Millfield. We weren’t meant to win as they had such a strong side, but we did (24-7) – it was a great day. As a professional, it’s the Ireland game for England. And for Wasps, when I scored the winning try at Welford Road – everyone knows we love to beat Leicester.
RW: What are your happiest and saddest memories?
DC: My happiest would be on the beach with my family at Maracas Bay in Trinidad when I was four or five. I recently went to a funeral so that would be the saddest.
RW: Any regrets?
DC: Not yet.
RW: What would you like to achieve outside of rugby?
DC: A happy family life, and to bring my children up with good morals.
Check out his profile for England
Learn more about Danny’s teammates when he was at Wasps…