That choice did not go unnoticed by 78-cap Latham, who many regard as the professional game’s finest ever full-back, who believes the 22-year-old can take his place at the top of the world game in South Australia.

“It is a massive, massive call for him to do that,” said Latham who will also be departing the Northern Hemisphere after a two-year spell at Sixways.

“My hat goes off to him and I have total respect for that decision.

“It is a move to improve his rugby. He can stay here and be far better off financially but for such a young guy with so much talent to take that step is incredible. I have got nothing but admiration for him.

“In years to come, this experience has the potential to make him an all-time great player. He has got so much talent to start with and now he has the chance to improve that in Melbourne.

“He has got the determination to improve. If he continued to stay here and played off his reputation then maybe he would have made it, maybe not.

“But he took that leap of faith and that suggests he is only interested in his rugby. You have got to be really courageous to do something like that.”

The Rebels franchise will be coached by Rod MacQueen – arguably the finest ever Australian coach, who has a World Cup in 1999 to his name and who also masterminded the 2-1 series defeat of the 2001 British & Irish Lions.

Latham won his first cap under MacQueen in 1998 and went on to run in 40 tries in the Green and Gold – the second highest total behind David Campese.

And the 34-year-old is convinced MacQueen’s no-nonsense, meticulous attention-to-detail style will bring the best out of the mercurial Cipriani.

He added: “Knowing the coaching staff down there and the surroundings, I have got no doubt Danny will become one of the best players of his generation.

“Rod will have that organisation running like clockwork and will ensure the best people are in every position to make sure the individual improves.

“I can think of no better set-up for him to learn his trade. Playing in the Super 15 will let him play a lot of running rugby and open him up to a culture virtually no northern hemisphere player has experienced.”