Nick “The Honey Badger” Cummins Set For Long Awaited Rugby Return
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Ireland boss Andy Farrell names team for Argentina clash - November 13, 2024
- ‘People forget we recently beat New Zealand twice in a row’ – Mack Hansen fires back at critics - November 12, 2024
- Scott Barrett calls out Joe McCarthy for ‘below the line’ incident - November 9, 2024
The Badge.
Nick Cummins is probably one of the most loved figures in the history of rugby. The former Wallabies winger, who spent his entire Super Rugby career with the Western Force, became almost as famous for his post-match interviews as his tries on a rugby pitch.
But in 2014 his Test career came to a sudden end – just as it looked like he was set to play in his first ever Rugby World Cup. The ‘Badge’ gave up his Wallabies dream to sign a contract with Japanese side the Red Sparks. But why?
Two of Cummins’ brothers and sisters have cystic fibrosis and that year his father was diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer. Cummins took the chance to move to Japan where he’d earn more money to help out his family – and have more time to spend with them.
Cummins spent two seasons in Japan (with a brief stint back with the Force in between) and after that, aside from a brief Australia sevens stint and a bizarre amateur Norwegian Rugby Union Championship appearance – gave up rugby to move into television presenting among other things.
But the Badge is set to lace up his boots once again with his beloved Western Force later this month. The winger will be back for their Global Rapid Rugby showcase series opener against a World XV on Friday March 22 at HBF Park. And he cant’t wait.
“It will be so good to get home, strap on the boots and have a trot at the old stomping ground in front of the Sea of Blue,” Cummins told Perth Now
“There’s still a few kilometres left in these old getaway sticks and I’ll be out to bag as much meat in the corner as I can.
“I’m looking forward to having a fair crack at these new Rapid Rugby rules.
“There won’t be any complaints from us backs that’s for sure, the more running rugby the better.
“That’s what we all love and that’s what Rapid Rugby is all about. I can’t wait to get on the charge.
“I’ve been keeping in shape but maybe someone get an ambo on standby just in case.”
Cummins is still only 31. Could this be the beginning of a comeback for the one and only Honey Badger?
