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The Western Force have announced that Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins will return to the club for the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Cult hero, the Honey Badger, Australian and Western Force winger, Cummins will play in Australia in 2015 and will be available for the Wallabies in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Wallabies have confirmed.
Cummins has been at the Force for seven seasons, and has played 74 matches, mostly on the wing with some appearances at outside centre.
He was granted a release earlier this year to join the Coca Cola Red Sparks in Japan, but will rejoin the Force for the 2015 Super Rugby campaign. He has again been granted leave to play in Australia.
He will join the Force squad at the end of the Red Sparks’ season in early 2015 and will return to the Japanese club for the 2015/2016 Top League season.
Always a local favourite, Cummins says he is looking forward to returning to Australia and playing for the Force again in 2015.
“In November I was given an opportunity to play for the Barbarians,” Cummins said.
“Walking off the field after the match at Twickenham was a surreal experience, knowing I had just played against my country. It definitely lit a fire within and had me thinking about what could have been.
“But I heard a bloke say at the end of the Super Rugby season that he hadn’t heard no fat lady sing!
“I’m stoked to be back on the burst and returning to Australian rugby in 2015.
“Thanks to the Western Force and more importantly the Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan for making my return back to Australia possible.
“Gonna be a huge year. Can’t wait to get amongst it!”
Only the Honey Badger can say that to the media and make it sound like it’s not a joke.
CEO of RugbyWA Mark Sinderberry says the Force are delighted to have Cummins back in the fold for 2015.
“As a club, we believe it’s important to have Nick involved with Australian rugby and we’re very pleased to have him returning to us for next season.
“Over the past seven years, Nick has not only been a consistent performer for both the Force and then Wallabies, but has developed a very strong and unique rapport with our passionate supporter base.
“Nick had unique circumstances behind his move to Japan, however, from that time, and supported by our ‘Sea of Blue’, it was important that we did what we could to bring him back.
“We have been humbled by the community support we have received in order to bring Nick back, and I’d like to thank the number of individuals directly involved for their generosity in making this possible.
“It’s fantastic to know that Nick will be a part of our 10th season in Super Rugby, and I’ve got no doubt that our members and fans will be very excited to see the Honey Badger back in full flight for the Force next year.”
Force coach Michael Foley says he’s pleased to have Cummins available for selection ahead of the 2015 Super Rugby campaign, and says he brings a lot to the side.
“While most people are aware of Nick’s colourful personality, the character he displays in his performances on the field makes him an integral part of our team,” Foley said.
“His ability to lighten the mood is balanced against a fierce determination to win and play for his mates, which was best evidenced by his performance against the Waratahs at home last season.”
Cummins’ signing spells the end of the Western Force signings for the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.