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WALLABIES winger Nick Cummins has signed with Japanese team Coca Cola West Red Sparks for next season.
He is among several Wallabies, including Ben Mowen and Kane Douglas, who have opted to go overseas before the 2015 World Cup in England.
Cummins’ move was advised by the Japanese Rugby Union this morning.
Known as “The Honey Badger” for his fierce determination, Cummins will be a big loss to Australian rugby, not only because of his wholehearted attitude on the field, but his popularity off it.
Cummins, 26, has played 15 Tests for the Wallabies since making his debut against Argentina in Rosario in 2012 and he has been a mainstay of the Western Force backline since 2008.
While Cummins started in all three of the Wallabies’ Test wins against France last June, his position in the run on side will be challenged by Brumbies wingers Joe Tomane and Henry Speight, who becomes eligible for Australia during The Rugby Championship.
Competition for places on the Wallabies wings will become even stronger next year if James O’Connor returns from Europe to play for the Queensland Reds as expected.
Cummins’ Force teammates fullback Jayden Hayward and prop Salesi Manu have signed to play with Italian club Benetton Treviso.
Meanwhile, Cummins will return from injury to play for the Force against the Reds in Perth on Saturday night as the Perth-based attempts to reach the Super Rugby playoffs for the first time.
http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/nick-honey-badger-cummins-lost-to-australian-rugby/story-e6frg7o6-1226977412708?nk=8b75376ed7b0cdad01da9e9c63e05ec9
Noooo I thought he had signed a two year deal this year??
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Why is it everytime the Force starts getting a positive roll, a spanner gets thrown in the works!
Dammit just heard it on the news. Why would he leave so close to world cup?
Laugh and the world laughs with you.......
......cry and you'll weaken your beer
Yeah I don't understand it he signed a 2 year contract with the force and ARU last year makes no sence.
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
He must have had a get out clause. Or maybe he's just breaking his contract and the Japanese club is covering the legal costs arising from that?
Aussie rugby is on life support with someone hovering over the 'off' switch. Unless we get A LOT more money into the code, we will head into oblivion. Even the glory attached to a RWC tilt is not enough to compete with the huge sums of money available overseas.
I "think" their season is August to January, so I assume he will be back for Force next year, just not available for Wallabies Spring Tour??
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
You'd imagine that he'll be interviewed post game tomorrow, so hopefully the muppet with the microphone can ask him to explain
Oh God I hope that's what it is - I don't think I can take any more bad news today.
If Speight and Tomane come into the Wallabies and go really well on the spring tour the Badger might have thrown his world cup chances away with this move. Very risky.
I presume he still plays rugby championship?
Didn't know Hayward was going to Italy either.
Bugger.
"Believe in the best, think your best, study your best, have a goal for your best, never be satisfied with less than your best, try your best, and in the long run things will turn out for the best."
Hayward going to Italy? Rumours about Junior going overseas too? What about Cheez? Wouldn't be surprised to see him go to England.
Is the ARU fiddling while Rome burns????!!
It is sad to see good players go, but unfortunately that's professional rugby. Hopefully the Force have known for a while and have had their scouts out and have a good recruitment strategy in place. The place won't be the same without Jayden's dependability at the back and the Badge's hard running, enthusiasm and after game comments.