Being an Olympian would be sweet for rugby's "Honey Badger" Nick Cummins, who has put himself in line for Rio Games selection by signing with the Australian men's Sevens program.
Cummins is returning to the form of the game in which he first represented Australia at senior level in 2007 and was part of the 2010 Commonwealth Games silver-medal winning squad in Delhi.
Capped 15 times for the Wallabies, Cummins will be available to Australia for the last four legs of the 2015/16 Sevens World Series through to the Olympics.
The prospect of being an Olympian clearly excites the extroverted and strong running 28-year-old back, whose larrikin personality has added to the recognition he has received for his rugby exploits.
"Watching the Olympics and all the carry on that goes with it and then to be a part of it would be great," Cummins told AAP over the phone from Japan, where he has been playing for Top League club Coca Cola Red Sparks.
Returning to the sevens fold brings Cummins' international rugby career full circle.
"I did a full season on the IRB circuit (in 2007) which was bloody good fun," Cummins recalled.
"Sevens was where I actually learned the game and I took those skills into 15s.
"It's an exciting opportunity coming up. I'm keen to get back to where I started."
Recently appointed Australian Sevens coach Andy Friend didn't have to travel far to meet Cummins, as he is in the final stages of coaching another Japanese club, Suntory Sungoliaths.
"He (Cummins) will bring a wealth of knowledge into the squad and his previous experience in Sevens will stand him in good stead," Friend said.
Former Western Force winger Cummins is more used to playing against Friend's teams, especially when the latter coached the Brumbies for just over three seasons.
Asked what he thought he would bring to the Australian sevens program, Cummins joked "not much" before adding "I'm probably more of an injection player capable of bursts and hopefully defending well."
He hasn't ruled out returning to Super Rugby next year.
"I'm looking at contracts now, it could be anywhere and anything," Cummins said.
Share
