Cummins may return to Force
Nick Taylor The West Australian
September 30, 2014, 7:19 am
Western Force are closing in on luring Wallabies winger Nick Cummins back to the club for the 2015 Super Rugby season.
The Force have been negotiating a return with Japanese Top 14 club Coca Cola Red Sparks and Cummins' management since they released him on compassionate grounds at the end of last season.
A decision is expected shortly that would see Cummins loaned back to the Force, similar to the way in which former Wallabies flanker George Smith was released from his Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath back to the Brumbies last year.
Cummins has told the Force he wants to return and the club is now waiting on Red Sparks.
The Force have three vacant spots in their Super Rugby squad and one will be held open for Cummins.
The return of Cummins would be a huge boost to the Force, who have yet to play finals.
Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry was circumspect when asked about Cummins' return, saying only that he was contracted to Red Sparks but that he would like to see him back in Force colours.
Coach Michael Foley has made no secret that he wants Cummins back and said after his last match for the club that Australian rugby was "caught with its pants down" by letting him go to Japan.
"I'd really love him to come back. He's excellent for us," Foley said after Cummins' last game.
Cummins moved to Japan for the chance to earn more money to help support his family.
Two siblings have cystic fibrosis and his father Mark, who has been involved in the contract talks, has been diagnosed with incurable cancer.
It is understood that Cummins, who was not on the top ARU pay scale when he left, was offered a contract worth $700,000 to play in Japan.
He has also signed lucrative sponsorship deals, including a television advertising campaign for a shampoo brand.
The Force have three spots open in their 35-man Super Rugby squad after signing flanker Steve Mafi from English premiership club Leicester Tigers and promoting several players such as Francois van Wyk and local products and Australian Junior World Cup players Ross Haylett-Petty and Brad Lacey.
Despite reports in the Eastern States, Argentinean winger Manuel Montero will not be signing.
