Australia
Force confirm Honey Badger's return
December 22, 2014
Nick Cummins scored a try while playing for the Barbarians against the Wallabies © Getty Images
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Former Wallabies winger Nick Cummins will return to Australia and play for the Western Force in 2015.

The Perth-based franchise confirmed the move, which brings Cummins back into contention for a place in the Wallabies' World Cup squad, on Tuesday morning. Cummins has played five months of rugby with the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks after being allowed a release from his Force contract for compassionate reasons. He left in order to pick up a rich contract with the Japanese side so he could support several sick family members.

The 15-Test winger said his appearance for the Barbarians against the Wallabies in November had stoked the fire of a return to Australia.

"In November I was given an opportunity to play for the Barbarians," he said. "Walking off the field after the match at Twickenham was a surreal experience, knowing I had just played against my country. It definitely lit a fire within and had me thinking about what could have been.

"But I heard a bloke say at the end of the Super Rugby season that he hadn't heard no fat lady sing! "I'm stoked to be back on the burst and returning to Australian rugby in 2015. Thanks to the Western Force and more importantly the Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan for making my return back to Australia possible. Gonna be a huge year. Can't wait to get amongst it!"

RugbyWA chief executive Mark Sindeberry said the Force had always held out hope Cummins would return to Perth in 2015.

"As a club, we believe it's important to have Nick involved with Australian rugby and we're very pleased to have him returning to us for next season," he said. "Over the past seven years, Nick has not only been a consistent performer for both the Force and then Wallabies, but has developed a very strong and unique rapport with our passionate supporter base.

"Nick had unique circumstances behind his move to Japan, however, from that time, and supported by our 'Sea of Blue', it was important that we did what we could to bring him back. We have been humbled by the community support we have received in order to bring Nick back, and I'd like to thank the number of individuals directly involved for their generosity in making this possible.

"Special thanks must also go to the Coca Cola Red Sparks for allowing Nick to return to us for next season. It's fantastic to know that Nick will be a part of our 10th season in Super Rugby, and I've got no doubt that our members and fans will be very excited to see the Honey Badger back in full flight for the Force next year."

© AAP

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