"That was a disappointment, but putting things in perspective, Daniel's been in that (NSW) squad a while and he's just secured himself the five eighth spot," Macqueen told BPL today. "One thing I don't do is guarantee anybody (a position), as Danny Cipriani knows."

Rather than settling on England international Cipriani as his No. 10, Macqueen indicated when he announced signing the Wasps five eighth, he'd likely start the import's career in Australia at fullback.

Instead, Melbourne has chased Waratahs Berrick Barnes and Halangahu for the pivot role but within the space of a week both look lost to the Rebels.

Nevertheless Macqueen expects to announce "several signings" on Monday when Australian Rugby Union lifts its ban on Melbourne revealing players recruited from other Australian squads.

And Macqueen said the club remains on track to have the "core of the squad in place by the end of March."

"We've got a few positions yet to fill but we're reasonably happy where we are.

"I would hope in the next few weeks we'll have the core of the side and then we've got until September to fill in the cracks."

Macqueen also indicated the Rebels were poised to lockdown Bath-based Australian Mark Bakewell as their forwards coach.

"We're talking with Mark and hopefully we'll be able to make an announcement on that soon," he said.

The new franchise is continuing discussions with Gloucester captain Gareth Delve whose decision to head south has been complicated by a recall to the Welsh side and, subsequently, the potential of involvement in next year's World Cup if he stays put in the northern hemisphere.

Macqueen concedes the process of attracting the style of player he's seeking for the new club has been slow and he admits to being shocked at the salaries being pocketed by northern hemisphere players.

He's confident the nucleus of the side will be Australian in the wake of a recruiting campaign that's angled to bring "groups" of players from clubs and regions.

"If we bring in some players from certain clubs they have players they are used to playing with and we try and encourage that as much as we can," he says.

A few of the players believed to have been approached by Melbourne include the Brumbies' Stirling Mortlock - a likely signing - half, Richard Kingi from Queensland, NSW flyer Peter Betham, Japan-based Mark Gerrard, former league star Mark Gasnier, Australian winger Peter Hynes and South African brothers Bismark and Jannie Du Plessis.