Cheika not rushing the Badger back
Barbarians coach John Kirwan reckons Australia should do everything they can to get wing Nick Cummins back from Japan in time for next year's World Cup.
However, Wallaby coach Michael Cheika says it's ultimately up to Cummins to negotiate a return to Super Rugby that would make him eligible for Wallabies selection again.
Cult hero Cummins, nicknamed the Honey Badger, scored a try in an eye-catching performance in the Barbarians' 36-40 loss to Australia at Twickenham at the weekend and said afterwards the experience had made him even more hungry to return to international rugby.
After working closely with the colourful 27-year-old in camp in London, All Blacks great and former wing Kirwan believes getting Cummins back would be a huge boost for the Wallabies next year.
"I think he's a very special character in our game," Kirwan said.
"If I was Michael Cheika I'd be trying to get him home as quick as I could.
"He just knows how to sniff out a try and I thought what he did defensively was incredible.
"He was cutting off their wide ball at times, just through reading it properly. He's a special athlete."
Cummins left the Western Force in July to take up a lucrative overseas contract with Japanese side West Red Sparks to earn bigger bucks to provide for sick family members.
Signing the two-year contract effectively ruled him out of the World Cup however Cummins remains hopeful of coming to an agreement with his club that would let him play a full season in Super Rugby next year.
Asked if he would assist in trying to bring Cummins back, Cheika said it was not his place.
"He's looking after his own stuff. He decided to go to Japan and that was a supported decision and he can decide to come back," Cheika said.
"He's a class player and if he ends up playing back in Australia, he'll be considered."
Cummins is relishing the Barbarians experience but admitted playing against his former Wallabies teammates had only increased his desire to wear the green and gold again.
"That sort of feeling holds pretty deep in you and I would love to be back in the mix," Cummins said.
"I have signed for two years and I'm a man of my word and will go through with that, but if something can be worked out, I'll be stoked."
AFP
