In the rugby and animal kingdom, a Puma shouldn’t have problems with a honey badger but Argentina should be warned about Australia’s latest call-up, Nick Cummins.
Cummins is fascinated by the small African mammal to the point he models his game on the honey badger’s attributes and is forever learning more about the fearless furball.
He’s nicknamed ‘Badger’ and loves its aggression – playing with the same attitude and energy on the wing for the Western Force.
“The main reason it inspired me was that it’s documented that a honey badger killed a male lion in a one-on-one battle,” Cummins says.
“What happened was that he clawed the canastas off the big fella, he just went one-two on the ball-bag, and the big fella has walked around the corner and fell over.
“That, to me, is outstanding.”
Welcome to the Wallabies’ 11th and newest cap in an unprecedented, horror year for injuries where the popular Cummins will be the 38th player to line up for Australia.
The Port Macquarie-born, Brisbane-raised, Perth-based winger is a testament to hard work and perseverance as he’ll finally make his Test debut against Argentina in Rosario this weekend – a day after his 25th birthday and three years after making his first Wallabies squad.
His rugby adventure was sparked by pure chance at 16 when older brother Luke called him up as a ring-in, along with another brother Nathan and father Mark, for a Bundaberg grand final.
In his only game for the club, Cummins starred as a smokey and caught the eye of a Randwick club scout.
“Luke called us up and said we need some cattle,” he recalled. “So we stacked (the team) and then came away with a win.
“I think my name was David for that game.”
The youngster put his life on hold and moved to Sydney.
“I just came out of school,” he said. “I was going to go to the mines, army or Randwick.”
From there, Cummins trained the house down to sneak into Australia’s sevens side to fill an injury gap, gained a chance with the Perth Spirit in the defunct Australian Rugby Championship and then earned a contract with the Force in 2008.
Injuries to Drew Mitchell, James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Joe Tomane have depleted the Wallabies wing stocks, and now the hard-running, tough-tackling Force cult hero has his chance.
“I’ve been holding pads for three years so I know how to hold a pad – and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” he said.
“But given the amount of injuries if I didn’t get a gig I probably would have given it up!
“It’s been a long road and I’ve been resilient.”
Just like the honey badger.
Yeah, we have a saying in Afrikaans "So taai soos n' ratel" I guess the closest one in english is "as tough as nails"
amband
Guest
thank God we aren't talking about Beavers
amband
Guest
“Bald as a badger's”
amband
Guest
I suspect Johnno is right. We need honeybadgers, but in the forwards where a honeybadger can use his talents I also suspect the place to find these honeybadgers, is in the league ranks, not private school ranks
macka
Guest
You didn't see what SBW did to the force this year?! For God's sake, he even had enough time to do a basketball over-the-head pass against 5 players swarming him.
amband
Guest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
Crazy Horse
Guest
I'm a brother of anyone who has ever pulled on the boots to play Rugby Union!
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Ive had my hair permed for the test as a mark of respect....then onto a 1980's tennis day...2 birds with one stone...and my mrs reckons iam not efficient.
post
Guest
This guy sounds like an awesome character, I really hope he plays the house down.
RebelRanger
Guest
Would Cummins at 12 not be the same as having McCabe there?
RebelRanger
Guest
Tyrann Mathieu
Albo
Guest
You wouldn't happen to be related to Sebastian Chabal by any chance would you CH? ;)
Jutsie
Guest
bald badger sounds a bit rude lol
redsnut
Guest
Vuna Johnno? Surely you are joking, after his last show in the gold jersey
Sage
Guest
Fair call Albo but "Bald badger" doesn't have the same ring to it. He is going to rip into the Argies like a man possessed. May make a few of the "special ones" take stock of what having ticker really is. I reckon he's well up for it Pierce and will make the most of this long overdue opportunity.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Albo, I suspect we are of similar vintage. Although follically challenged these days, in my grade rugby days I had hair half way down my back and a beard to match. It never slowed me down.Although living in Perth getting wet whilst playing is not a frequent occurrence.
Crazy Horse
Guest
I agree PeterK, it's well overdue. He can also play 12 which he did for the Force when he was moved in to play against Sonny Bill Williams. He was one of the few all year for any team that managed to match SB. BTW his brother Nathan also plays for UWA Premier Grade and is a great bloke too.
Albo
Guest
Dear Mr. Cummins. Please, please, please cut your hair. I don't care that you look like Jason Donavan in his heyday, I'm not even jealous that you have a much thicker, more luscious head of hair on your head than I've had in my lifetime. I care because even without as thick locks as you, I played with long hair and know from experience that it effects your ability to play at optimal efficiency. The simple fact is that when it gets wet, it weighs twice as much, affecting speed and agility. When it's dry it lags behind you, affecting speed and agility. It gets in your eyes and it genuinely limits your peripheral vision, making offloads etc. at least 50% harder. When you step sharply (mind you my stepping wasn't as sharp so the effect was probably lessened) your hair that was going in one direction slaps you perfectly in the noggin on the way back, basically blinding you. In a game where you choose different boots for slight difference in comfort and speed, tighter jerseys to inhibit the effect of the tackle marginally, your hair - as wonderful as it is!! - just doesn't make a lot of sense. Please cut it... or headgear it like Phil Waugh used to do in its longer days, or braid it like Umaga or Nonu, even pigtail it like Cleaver. My my... even in my own eyes this looks like a grumpy old man, pedantic rant. But the heart is in the right place. Sincerely, Your now balding and yes... slightly jealous supporter, Albo. P.S. The very best of luck on the weekend.
PeterK
Guest
Cummins should of been picked ahead of Vuna and Shipperley on the wing, or picked at 13 if AAC played elsewhere so well overdue.
gollygosh
Guest
Saw the jackets at Sydney Airport on Thursday afternoon. Missed the opportunity to talk to the guys.Good luck to them on tour.Go University Rugby all over the world !