Nick Cummins dives over the line for his try for the Barbarians against Australia © Getty Images

Enlarge

Barbarians head coach John Kirwan has urged Australia to do everything they can to get Nick Cummins back from Japan in time for the World Cup next year.

Cummins, nicknamed the Honey Badger, brought Twickenham to its feet with a dashing try and eye-catching performance in the Barbarians' 40-36 defeat by the Wallabies.

Cummins' stint with Japanese club Coca-Cola West Red Sparks rules him out of possible selection for Australia, but the 27-year-old remains keen on a Super Rugby loan deal to reopen the World Cup door.

"When you have an in-house comedian to keep you entertained it really adds to the week," said Kirwan.

"What you see on TV is what you get amongst the team, but he says the right things at the right time.

"The first meeting we had, Nick told a story and just nailed it. He's a very special character in our game. If I was Michael Cheika I'd be trying to get him home as quickly as I could.

"I don't want to get into the politics of it because look at what Adam Thomson did today, he's doing well in Japan too.

"These guys need to do right by their family first, but I think it's probably also right that New Zealand have that rule where people have to be playing in the country to be in contention for the All Blacks.

"I think Australia have something similar and it's understandable. But if you could get him back to Australia he'd be a real added bonus for the team, but he's over there for the right reasons. He's a quality man and a quality player."

Cummins, who has 15 caps for Australia, spent a week hunting foxes in Mongolia before linking up with the Barbarians in London. He then enthralled his invitational-side team-mates with tales of living with Mongolian nomads at the team's early-week bonding sessions.

New Australia coach Cheika challenged Cummins to prove his commitment to the World Cup by organising his return to Super Rugby himself.

"He's not going to feature at all if he keeps scoring tries against us, that's guaranteed!" said Cheika.

"Obviously he's a class player. If he ends up playing back in Australia, he'll be in contention. There's some talk he'll end up back in Australia, and if he comes back he'll be considered, no doubt about it.

"I'm not sure what help he needs, he's looking after his own stuff. He decided to go to Japan and that was a very supported decision. And he can make his own decision to come back to Australia and play. I think that's really up to Nick.

"By taking those decisions, he'd be showing he wants to play for Australia if he comes back."