Cummins hungry for higher honours

[travelling_gerry]

Cummins hungry for higher honours

May 1, 2010 - 10:54AM


Hoping for a Wallabies call-up . . . Nick Cummins of the Force. Photo: Getty Images



Bulked up Western Force winger Nick Cummins hopes to finish the Super 14 season with a bang as he attempts to barge his way back into Wallabies contention.
Cummins was selected in the Wallabies' spring tour training squad last year but ruptured ligaments in his foot on day one of the camp when a teammate accidentally fell on top of him.
The injury kept Cummins out of action for more than four months and the 22-year-old added five kilograms to his frame during that time in an attempt to become a more effective line-breaker and tackler.
Cummins, now around 99kg, felt he started as a "puff of black smoke" in his return against the Chiefs in round three but said he was now close to full fitness as he attempts to regain the attention of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
"He (Deans) just sends me a couple of texts to make sure I'm getting along," Cummins said ahead of the Force's clash with the Lions in South Africa.
"I'm hoping for it (a training call-up) over the summer.
"I think every kid dreams about the World Cup.
"I'm not really a kid but I'll still dream about it.
"Anything's possible.
"But all I've got to focus on is putting my best foot forward over the next three weeks."
While Cummins has made his name on the wing for the Force, the talented speedster feels he could easily adapt to outside centre in the future.
"I'm hoping to stick with wing at the moment but as I get older and more experienced and put more weight on I might even head into the centres, outside centre," he said.
"I've trained outside (Ryan) Crossy for a couple of years.
"I played a lot of outside centre when I was playing at club level so I've got a little base there.
"But I would rather learn a bit more, get more experience before I get thrown into the deep end."
The Force take on the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday (1.05am AEST Sunday) before finishing the season with games against the Cheetahs (Bloemfontein) and Sharks (Durban).
The Lions sit last on the table without a win to their name but Cummins said the team was on red alert for an attacking barrage.
"Inside their own 22 they're not afraid to go the blind and pass it out and let their winger have a run, which is something for us wingers to take note of and prepare for," he said.
"They will get a win this season but we don't want to be that (scalp).
"They will come out a fighting force."


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0501-tzsi.html

[GIGS20]

You'd expect him to focus on that, wing's a heavily populated spot though. Maybe 13 would be a goood change for him to make sooner rather than later.

[Burgs]

Think he's going to need to see far more action than so far this season before he will get the selectors eye this year unfortunately.

[zimeric]

I have Faith... he is an excitement machine when he gets his hands on the ball

[welshrugbyfan]

Shane Williams had a similar story with his test career.

He was at one stage on the verge of never being given a test spot again.

One try against the AB's changed things forever.

I hope Nick has the same luck.

[farva]

In regard to the centres, I think JOC is pretty much a shoe in for the 12 jersey next year (assuming Shep is fit for fullback). But 13 is wide open. Inman has done his chances no harm and I really think he is one for the future there. Cross has been out of form at the start of the season but is finding it now, strangely enough at 12. But he isnt getting any younger. He has one more season left of this contract, and I wouldnt be surprised to see him head north after that - he wont make the Wallabies this year. Tatupu must feel a bit unlucky to be sitting on the sidelines at the moment, but he isnt that old and may yet make a decent push for the starting 15. Haig Sare, while being used on the wing is not quick enough for that position, and would be a much better centre than wing I feel. We are short on decent wingers, especially given that Staniforth is a better 12 than wing. I think Cummins best chances are on the wing.

In the Wallabies, Mortlock and Cross are both past it I feel. I think AAC and Ioane are the two most likely to be picked for the centres. Under that, I think that Chambers is making a strong case for selection, and Horne, if he ever stays fit, has a big future. On the wing, Davies is making some noises, and Mitchell isnt playing badly either. Turner isnt living up to the expectations we all had. AAC I can see moving into the centres, so there is space there. Cummins, Faainfo, Shepherd and Morahan (who has been really flakey) will all be fighting it out for a spot or two in the extended squad.

So there you go, I think Cummins best chance of making the Wallabies, and of heloping the Force, is to stay on the wing.
And I always like to see one genuine speedster and one strong ball runner on the wings. Cummins fits the second role nicely.

[shasta]

Tatupu must feel a bit unlucky to be sitting on the sidelines at the moment, but he isnt that old and may yet make a decent push for the starting 15

That's a good point. He was only selected during the first few matches when the whole backline was floundering in defence. His undoing might have been the Chiefs match in Perth. But go back a week and he was quite solid in a brave team performance in Wellington and even managed to get across the stripe.

[jono]

In regard to the centres, I think JOC is pretty much a shoe in for the 12 jersey next year (assuming Shep is fit for fullback). But 13 is wide open. Inman has done his chances no harm and I really think he is one for the future there. Cross has been out of form at the start of the season but is finding it now, strangely enough at 12. But he isnt getting any younger. He has one more season left of this contract, and I wouldnt be surprised to see him head north after that - he wont make the Wallabies this year. Tatupu must feel a bit unlucky to be sitting on the sidelines at the moment, but he isnt that old and may yet make a decent push for the starting 15. Haig Sare, while being used on the wing is not quick enough for that position, and would be a much better centre than wing I feel. We are short on decent wingers, especially given that Staniforth is a better 12 than wing. I think Cummins best chances are on the wing.

In the Wallabies, Mortlock and Cross are both past it I feel. I think AAC and Ioane are the two most likely to be picked for the centres. Under that, I think that Chambers is making a strong case for selection, and Horne, if he ever stays fit, has a big future. On the wing, Davies is making some noises, and Mitchell isnt playing badly either. Turner isnt living up to the expectations we all had. AAC I can see moving into the centres, so there is space there. Cummins, Faainfo, Shepherd and Morahan (who has been really flakey) will all be fighting it out for a spot or two in the extended squad.

So there you go, I think Cummins best chance of making the Wallabies, and of heloping the Force, is to stay on the wing.
And I always like to see one genuine speedster and one strong ball runner on the wings. Cummins fits the second role nicely.

the problem with AAC is that he is a utility. he is good at the backline posistions, but he doesnt really specialise in any of them. i think he will either start at 15 or on the bench

[AndyS]

His best position is at 13, but until we have a really solid long-term option at 15...

[farva]

On another forum, someone made a good point, saying that JOC was Deans "project" and so would probably start at fullback.
And what are the other options for centre?
Ioane? I think he will be a wing.
Chambers? Still to green for me.
Horne? Perpetually broken.
Inman? In 2 or 3 years maybe.
Cross? Past it.
Mortlock? Past it.

[force addict]

dont write off Stirlo just yet. without injury i think he has one more big effort to put in for the wallabies

[Burgs]

Yeah, agreed FA, wouldn't be putting the old fella out to pasture just yet and with him deciding to stay in Australia he is obviously still looking to selection too.