Nick Cummins may be locked into a lucrative deal in Japan, but the former Western Force star is looking to arrange an early exit in hopes of making next year’s Wallabies World Cup squad.
Cummins left the Force in July to join the West Red Sparks in a selfless decision to aid two of his sick siblings. The 27-year-old is making the most of a current break in the Japanese season and will face the Wallabies in a cameo appearance for the Barbarians in London this weekend.
Speaking ahead of the matchup against his former teammates, ‘Honey Badger’ hinted towards an early return to Super Rugby for a shot at World Cup glory.
“If there is a small chance to go back there for Super Rugby next year and possibly be eligible for the World Cup I’d take it,” Cummins said from London.
“It’s not often you get to do a World Cup which is why I’ll definitely get back to Japan and ask again. It’s one of the things the boys will have for the rest of their lives, one of things that you only experience once, so hopefully.”
Cummins is said to be having a ball adapting to life in Japan, but will seek an early termination from his Red Sparks deal to return home.
“It would depend on my Japanese club bending a little bit which is probably not likely.
“Things have been spoken about but it’s not that simple over there. They don’t operate like that, they’re pretty straight down the line and that’s fine, I’m cool with that. The contract is what it is and I’m happy with it. I wouldn’t have signed it otherwise.”
Cummins latest revelation is a change of tune from a recent interview with UK’s Sports Magazine where the New South Wales native suggested a return to Australia was a subject concocted by the media.
“There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors involved, but I haven’t heard the fat lady yet, so there’s still a chance of getting back there – depending on the right channels being exploited,” Cummins told the publication.
“Mate, I’ve spoken to a couple of media outlets, but all I said was that I’d like to play back there one day – and they ran with it and turned it into some bloody story.
“That was a bit ordinary on their behalf. I’m definitely keen to get back one day and play, though – and a World Cup would be awesome. But my focus is the Sparks over here for now, and I’m all guns blazing. If I can get back there, then I’m keen for that too.”
The Wallabies are in Europe for a five-Test Spring Tour with November matchups to come against Wales, France, Ireland and England.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
