Tuesday Round-Up

Honey Badger return: Reports emanating out of Australia today, suggest that former Wallaby winger Nick Cummins could be on the verge of a return to Super Rugby and former club the Western Force. Having left the club on compassionate grounds at the close of the most recent Super Rugby campaign, Cummins signed on with the Coca Cola Red Sparks in the Japanese Top League. With two of his siblings struggling in their battle with cystic fibrosis and his father recently diagnosed with cancer, Cummins took the option to take up a contract in Japan in order to fund treatment for his family. However, it now seems as though Cummins may well be on the books of the Perth based outfit ahead of next season, in a similar deal to that of George Smith from several years ago, whereby the player is loaned back to a Super Rugby club by his Japanese parent club. A decision on Cummins’ future is expected within the coming days.

Cruden back in action: After his drunken antics ten days ago, All Blacks star Aaron Cruden is set to make his return to the game, with reports suggesting he will line out on the replacements bench for Manawatu’s clash with Hawke’s Bay on Sunday. The ITM Cup clash will see Cruden appear in the Manawatu jersey instead of the black of New Zealand, having been banished from the squad for the final two games by head coach Steve Hansen. After missing the team flight to Argentina from Auckland, due to a boozy affair the night before, Cruden was subsequently left out of Hansen’s plans for the final two games of the Rugby Championship against both Argentina and South Africa. While Hansen takes his charges to Johannesburg this weekend, it is expected that Cruden will not return to the All Blacks squad until the Bledislo Cup clash two weeks later on October 16th. Cruden was offered the chance to start for Manawatu but felt uncomfortable as he had little or no preparation time.

Ryan Sheady