Nick Cummins
Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins will return to the Western Force for the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Cummins, who has played 74 matches for the Western Australian club over the past seven seasons, was granted a release from his contract on compassionate grounds to join Japanese club, the Red Sparks, at the end of the 2014 Super Rugby competition.
However, the 27-year-old, who has been capped 15 times for the Wallabies, will return to the Force after being granted leave from his current contract by the Fukuoka-based club.
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.
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Cummins says he’s looking forward to returning to the Western Force and Australian shores in 2015.
“In November I was given an opportunity to play for the Barbarians. 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 Red Sparks in Japan for making my return back to Australia possible. It’s going to be a huge year. I can’t wait to get amongst it,” he said.
RugbyWA CEO, Mark Sinderberry says the organisation, spurred on by the support of its membership, was committed to bringing Cummins back to the Western Force.
“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 the 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.
“Special thanks must also go to the Red Sparks for allowing Nick to return to us for next season.
“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,” he said.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says he’s pleased to have Cummins return to the squad.
“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.
“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,” he stated.
Cummins’ signing completes the Western Force squad for the 2015 Super Rugby season. The Western Force will kick off their season against the Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday 15 February 2015.
Western Force Squad: Robbie Abel, Chris Alcock, Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Nathan Charles, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan,Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ross Haylett-Petty, Chris Heiberg, Matt Hodgson, Zack Holmes, Oliver Hoskins, Brad Lacey, Ryan Louwrens, Steve Mafi, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Luke Morahan, Albert Nikoro, Ian Prior, Solomoni Rasolea, Mitchell Scott, Brynard Stander, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heath Tessmann, Francois van Wyk, Rory Walton, Sam Wykes, Akihito Yamada.