Nick Cummins out of the WC, he will play in Japan

[Jaguares]

Western Force and Wallabies winger Nick Cummins to join Japanese club Coca Cola West Red Sparks for 2015

WALLABIES cult figure Nick Cummins will quit Australian rugby to play in Japan next year, ruling himself out of the World Cup.

Cummins, known as the Honey Badger, will join Japanese Top League club Coca Cola West Red Sparks despite being contracted to the ARU until the end of 2015:

http://m.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wal...977465170?nk=93979aec14df0fc22849bcb148b36985

 

[RoosTah]

It's a shame, but realistically I guess he figured he wouldn't be in the World Cup team with Speight due to come in and O'Connor coming back too.

 

[Darwin]

Honey badger wants the yen.
Honey badger takes what he wants.

I agree with Sanzar's assessment. Cummins is a good player who certainly gives his all, but to be honest he is probably a bit limited at test level. He certainly brings some strong defense an a big work-rate, but his skill level isn't really that high, and he doesn't offer the same amount on attack as players like O'Connor/Speights/Tomane offer....

 

[Jaguares]

It's a shame, but realistically I guess he figured he wouldn't be in the World Cup team with Speight due to come in and O'Connor coming back too.

Yeah, with JOC, AAC, Speight and Tomane he would have had little chance of being selected for the Wallabies WC Squad.

Who would be the left winger?

Also I heard rumors that Digby Ioane could return to Reds, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[nzlizard]

Yeah WC selection was an outside chance for him, too many good players ahead.

Shame though as he is a good wing at super level and always loved the post match interviews.

 

[Guilty]

Have to agree with the above comments. Very good player, just not great who will be missed. It's a big blow to the Force in particular losing their biggest star.

Thinking the WC 23 will have JOC at #11 and Speight at #14 with AAC as the utility off the bench.

 

[goodNumber10]

Think people are under selling Cummins somewhat.

He's got a decent strike rate, massive work ethic and solid defence. Essentials for international rugby.

He also has the jersey and is well loved by both the public & media and that shouldn't be underestimated.

There is also nothing to say any of the guys coming back will be on form - Ioane has been complete gash in France and so on.

I think this is a bad move for the ARU.

 

[Gavin]

I am disappointed because I think he is a hard running back which Australia need in their backline. Interesting to find out why he left, PlanetRugby said this

and the decision has been made based on unique family circumstances

Could there be an illness in his family?

 

[Patchey]

He's just posted a statement to that effect. Some family issue/illness and it sounds like the extra money in Japan will allow him to help out with that.

I'm in my phone so can't post a link to it right now, so if anyone else can that would be good.

Quite sad he won't be at the World Cup, even if he only had an outside chance. Great character and good player.

 

[Patchey]

Outrageous double post (apologies), but here is a screen cap of his statement.

 

[goodNumber10]

that makes a lot fo sense.

 

[lynam1104]

Best of luck to him real shame hes leaving but with the situation hes in its the only decision that makes sense.

 

[Icemn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

 

[Adakins]

Apparently his father is battling prostate cancer while his younger siblings, Joe and Lizzy have both been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. I wish him the best and a speedy and full recovery for his family members.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Jeez, that's terrible. Can't blame a guy for looking to maximize his cash flow in that situation.

Surprised no one in Europe came in for a sniff if he was looking for a pay day. We could certainly do with a player like him in the backs. Maybe the extra time off you get with the short Japanese season was a big factor as well.

 

[goodNumber10]

Surprised no one in Europe came in for a sniff if he was looking for a pay day. We could certainly do with a player like him in the backs. Maybe the extra time off you get with the short Japanese season was a big factor as well.

It's probably also travel time back and forth, or in an emergency, etc... Japan is a long enough trip, but back from the UK/Europe is a whole days travel even in this day and age.

 

[munstermuffin]

Was reading the story and wow the guys a hero but also his father. Raised 8 kids as a single father in farm. They're likability is through roof but he's a class act too. I think Aussies underrate him. His strike rate is actually very good

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently his father is battling prostate cancer while his younger siblings, Joe and Lizzy have both been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. I wish him the best and a speedy and full recovery for his family members.

Christ, if that's true then that's horrendous news.

Good luck to him in Japan, one of the biggest characters/most likeable guys in rugby at the moment, and a good player to back it up too.

 

[Big Ewis]

well it's annoying for Aus to lose another player to foreign leagues with money, but Aus have good depth for backs and Nick Cummins probably isn't the best they can do at the wing. He's a big winger, most ppl underestimate that: basically 190cm 100kg. Most of the time from what I've seen he runs hard and straight, but he can definitely put a really nice step on people every once in a while. He's got good wit of course, but isn't a fabulous winger (can only judge from his Wallaby matches).
I'm sure Aus will be just fine.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Biggest loss will be his personality aus rugby needed a player like that for all the skills of the beale, coopers and O'Connor's they lack his personality, he has in his own way raised the profile of Western province and Aus rugby to the public.

All the best to him.