His trademark lingo was lost in translation in Japan, but Nick Cummins has returned home with a crystal clear message – he wants in at the Wallabies.
Cummins is back in the World Cup mix after being loaned back to the Western Force by his Japanese outfit Red Sparks.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is an admirer.
But the 15-Test winger knows he can’t just waltz back into the squad.
“It’s not one of those things that you can just call up and get back into the mix,” Cummins said on Monday.
“It all comes down to performance. You have to do your speaking on the field.”
With trademark quotes such as: “The boys were on it like seagulls at a tip”, and: “I was like a rat up a drainpipe in one of them runs there”, it’s little wonder that Japanese journalists found Cummins hard to understand.
But the funniest moment came when a Japanese rugby magazine produced a picture spread where they referred to Cummins as the “honey budger” instead of his actual honey badger nickname.
“There were all kinds of names getting thrown about,” Cummins said with a laugh.
“Sometimes it can be difficult when you’re talking to a journo after the game saying, ‘Yeah mate, I was on the burst’.
“And then the translator is trying to translate that into Japanese, and apparently there is no actual translation.
“There were a few odd pauses and frustrations, but we got through most of it.”
Cummins, who arrived back in Perth on Saturday, hasn’t played since undergoing an arthroscope to remove floating bone pieces in his left ankle last month.
But the fan favourite is still holding out hope he will be passed fit to return in Friday night’s Super clash with the Hurricanes in Perth.
A return against the Brumbies in Canberra next week appears more likely.
“I had a bit of a clean up on her. Now she’s starting to fire again, but I might need a few days,” Cummins said of his ankle.
The Hurricanes are flying high following wins over the Lions and Bulls, while the Force followed up their trouncing of the Waratahs with a disappointing 18-6 loss to the Reds.
Prop Pek Cowan is a chance to return from a neck injury, but fellow front rower Francois van Wyk (torn pectoral) is out for the season, while flanker Chris Alcock (ankle) is expected to miss several weeks.
Lano
Roar Guru
Badger is not playing. Not on bench
Lano
Roar Guru
Force still haven't named their side. Let's hope Badger plays then we'll all have some observed evidence as to his chance of a WB selection. Canes have a stellar back line to deal with.
steve
Guest
Squirrel....doesn't it ring the alarm bells for other sports such as cricket. Gregan is an ordinary commentator also. Looking forward to Tommy Lawnton building confidence and feeling free to unleash.
Squirrel
Guest
Gregan was crap for 4 years but had too much power to get dropped
Paul
Guest
Badger is vying for the same wing spot as speight, Horne, Tomane, Betham. Till we get a fullback with a better boot. The other wing is AAC or JoC. We have plenty of ball runners for the back 3. Not enough tactitians.
Lano
Roar Guru
Hadn't heard that one. I'd be disappointed because like Steve said, it's a chaotic rearrangement without purpose. Strategy before structure. Force haven't released team for the Canes so don't know yet if he's playing.
pjm
Roar Rookie
As the Honey Badger would say, BS baffles brains.
steve
Guest
This is the problem with the Wallabies at present. We have a World Cup around the corner and there is still uncertainty around who can play where and what. Cummins is a winger and a State standard player at best. We were at our best when players were locked into the position that best suited their skills and that of the team. Each position in Rugby is a specialized position and needs players that have the necessary skills to perform and do there job whilst supporting the others inside and outside of them. That is why Burgess (England boof-head) will struggle in whatever position he gets thrown in because he wont have the specialized skills to perform. Have a look at the best teams in the world over the past decade, they didn't chop and change the players and positions. Every time we make allowances to positions we become weaker.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
What do people think about Cummins moving in to 13? Surely he can pass better than our current back-up 13 already! He's got the size and the speed for a 13.. could do well there I think? No way he's replacing Tevita but if he plays there and adapts well to the position, he could make the squad as a back-up 13?
Ken
Guest
I think you guys are little hard of reading or are HONEY BADGER FANBOYS. I agree with that hammer fella .Look how many better players are in front of him. He is No chance unless he plays UNBELIEVEBLY SPECTACULAR or their is massive injury tolls.
Mike
Guest
I think he has great potential Lano, and I like his attitude. But I can't see him getting it all assimilated in time for RWC 15.
Lano
Roar Guru
Your unsubstantiated statement = NO GOOD.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
AAC wishes he was as good as Gregan, Gregan may have hung on but at least he was still the best halfback in oz. Giteau was the second best apparently. AAC was moved around too much as a younger player, by the time he got his favoured position of 13 centres at international level had become bigger. If he'd just played wing for the wallabies he would probably be remembered as one of the best. Instead he was and is the mr fix it of the backline, probably to his detriment. Pretty sure he has played every position bar 9 and 10 for the wallabies. He is still a great 13 at super level and the second best in Australia unless someone puts their hand up before the wc.
Steve
Guest
AAC on the bench at best. Can't pass and too slow. He's got the Gregan disease.......hanging in when he should retire.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
No chance. Heading to EU after.
Lenny
Guest
CUMMINS = NO GOOD ..
Lano
Roar Guru
what do you reckon about T Naiyaravoro? Not for this RWC, but a star in the making?
Demak
Roar Rookie
I think you have been living under a rock Hammer, either that or you forgot your medication
JimmyB
Guest
Id like to see him rested against England too. :)
Mike
Guest
True, Horne is pressing for selection. I agree with Jameswm's list, but there are a couple of dark horses around who might come up in the field during the season - e.;g. Cam Crawford. None of these gents can be sure of a spot which is a good thing for Aus.