Nick Cummins
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
In Japan: 1 month
Identity: Rugby player, Coca Cola Red Sparks
In a well documented move, Australian rugby superstar Nick Cummins finds himself in Fukuoka on a contract playing for the top-league team Coca Cola Red Sparks. Formerly with the Western Force and tagged to represent the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup 2015, Nick opted to play in Japan for a new experience and personal reasons. But the “Honey Badger” as he’s known back home, comes to Fukuoka with a great attitude and a good dose of his trademark cheeky Aussie charm. A busy training and game schedule with the Red Sparks is punctuated by fishing and cycling around town to look for good places to “strap the feed bag on.” Although less physical than in the Southern Hemisphere, Nick finds Japanese rugby to be faster – in fact he’s already lost a few kilos keeping up with his new teammates. “But the blokes don’t lack any heart. They’re very courageous.” Ready to give it his all, Nick brings a few of his personal mottos to Fukuoka including “When in doubt, flat out”, and “Up the guts and into ‘em”. Fukuoka Now replies “On ‘ya mate!”
Video – Behind-the-scenes at Fukuoka Now cover shoot with Nick Cummins
Nick Cummins also starred on the cover of Fukuoka Now October issue. For a behind-the-scenes look at the cover shoot plus some Q&A with the man himself, check out the video below!
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Interviewed on Sep. 1, 2014.
Tell us about yourself – where are you from, and how did you end up here?
Well I grew up in Brissie*, moved down to Sydney for 2 years. Played the sevens**, then moved over to Perth when I was 19 and that’s when I started kicking off with the Western Force. I stayed there for seven or eight years, played a bit of Wallabies*** in between, towards the end of my time at the Western Force. And now I’ve come over to Fukuoka and started a whole new set up over here. How different is it over here?
*Brisbane, Australia
**Australian Sevens, a rugby union sevens tournament
***Australia national rugby union team
Is this your first time in Japan?
Yep, very first time. When I landed I got straight into training. I came via Hong Kong straight to Fukuoka and the next morning I had to get up and go to the training camp in Hokkaido. I went up there, watched the boys, and met them for the first time. Still gettin’ used to the names…
What were your first impressions?
Well, look, when I was flyin’ in over the city, I couldn’t see a great deal so I was thinking “Oh geez, this could be different” but over the last few weeks it’s opened my eyes and I’m absolutely stoked. Like yesterday we went to the island out there – Nokonoshima – rode around, that was cool. I was looking for a few fishing spots and that sort of gear. We strapped the feed bag on at the beach, they had some barbies* there which was handy. So since seeing all that sort of stuff, I’m talking to the boys trying to tee up a little tour for our days off.
*Barbecue
This weekend you had your first game with the West Red Sparks against NTT Docomo – so how did that go?
Yeah, look, that was crazy. The trial games are a bit different to the real games when the season comes along and, watching the boys from the sideline, I was actually nervous for a bit there. Because when you come into a new team, you come into a new set-up, you want to make a good impression. But yeah, it was great. Got my hands on the ball a couple ‘a times. In the time I was on I didn’t get as much opportunity as I’d hoped, but I can see from what’s happened that throughout this season I will get that opportunity and its going to be good fun. I spoke to the other foreigners on the team and we all agree it’s very fun football over here.
Image source: http://instagram.com/nickbadger
You just got here, but tell us about some of the differences you’ve noticed in the game here?
Well it’s actually faster, in a weird way. I suppose the blokes are a bit bigger and more physical in the Southern Hemisphere. But here, they’re very fast on their feet and can be difficult to catch. And that sort of gameplay makes you lose a few kilos, just to keep up. I’ve asked the other foreigners, “I’ve gone down a few kilos what’s the go?” And they all said “That’s normal. That’ll happen here.” The Japanese coaching staff are mindful of everyone’s weight and will be on your hammer if ya shed a couple.
So yeah, it’s a lot faster, but the blokes don’t lack any heart. They dive their head into problems which they probably shouldn’t [laughs]. But they do. For their size, they’re very courageous.
How about in the practices? Any differences?
Yeah, there are a lot of differences. That’s probably the main thing I’ve been getting used to, coming into a new rugby club. If you’ve been doing something for eight years at the same club, and then suddenly you come here and it’s completely different. You’ve really just gotta adjust. And it’s hard, you know? It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, although I’m still a spring chicken. I’m sort of getting the hang of it.
Anything specific that sticks out that you wouldn’t do back home but they do here?
Well there are certain days that you would do, say, a lower body workout, or an upper body workout. It was set up in a way back at Western Force where you’d do a heavy leg day just before your day off to recover. But here you do leg days on a Monday, and Tuesday’s the biggest day of the week. So if you do a big leg day on a Monday, Tuesday you’re a bit second hand for the running session. There’s a couple ‘a things like that. But they’re working with me on it.
Are you on board with your new team’s motto – “Have guts, have glory”?
Absolutely. My old man actually says that every now and then. He even says “Up the guts and into ‘em” It’s just one of those things, like “When in doubt, flat out.”
And what about Sparky, the official mascot of the Coca Cola West Red Sparks?
Yeah actually I was standing beside him for one of those happy snaps before the game – he bloody gave me a fright, the mongrel! He’s a pretty scary looking rooster, but that’s what we want. He’s got that presence.
How are you getting along with your teammates so far? Have you taught your new teammates any Aussie slang?
Um yeah, actually. One of the halfbacks goes to me “You like?” and I go “Bloody oath” and he goes “Bloody O–su” And he’s been saying it ‘round training. [laughs] It’s pretty funny to hear him say it.
And what about you – have you learned any fun Japanese? Have your teammates been teaching you some words?
Yeah, I did a lesson this morning actually. I can count to ten. Probably the biggest ones I’ve learnt so far would be “Daijoubu” (okay)… or “Ganbarimasu!” – the thing they want to hear, which is “I’ll do my best”. Which I will. That’s why I’m here. I was saying to the boys, I want this year to be the best year the Sparks have had. I’m not entirely sure where they’ve come in the past – I’ve seen a little bit, but this year I really want to make a good effort, make a good impact for the Coca Cola Red Sparks.
Since arriving in Japan, you’ve already appeared on the cover of a magazine with the unfortunate headline misspelling “Honey Budger”…
Yeah [laughs] well that was interesting, but I think it must’ve be tough for the editor trying to work it out. But I’m not angry at him, I think it’s funny. I shared it on social media and they were even talking about it on Fox Sports back in Australia… the poor bugger, what a bun fight.
Any other notable moments of miscommunication since arriving?
Only when I go out for a feed at the restaurant. I’ll tell ya what; Now I know that toriniku is chicken. But before that, the last bloody couple ‘a weeks I’ve been going “Is there chicken?” and then doing the old wing flap and other manoeuvres. You don’t want to know how I ask for eggs…
No, show us, please!
Well, it’s got something to do with the chicken. But, um, that was tough. And a bit of confusion there, especially when you’re starvin’ and just wanna rip in, and you’re hovering above the table like a chicken. [laughs]
We saw on your instagram that recently you checked out a baseball game down at the Fukuoka Dome. How was it?
That was cool. Everyone is so keen on it, so passionate. And they sing, and bloody beat the drums the whole way through it. I got into it, I got the bloody balloons. I had heaps of them. And everyone was ready – there’s a set time you’ve gotta let them off – but I couldn’t wait. All the kids around us started laughin’ and carrying on because I don’t think I was meant to let them go at that point but I just couldn’t wait.
Image source: http://instagram.com/nickbadger
What does the Honey Badger like to do in his spare time in Japan? You’ve only been here a month, I know but what have you been doing?
Well I ride my bike to training and there’s a little river on the way, so I sometimes throw a line in there, see what’s lurkin’ about. Other than that I’ve been goin’ around to IKEA and trying to get gear for the house, trying to get it sorted out. What else? Every time we go for a feed, we just go for something new, something different. One day we’ll ride the bike down towards town a couple ‘a k’s, next time we’ll go the opposite direction a few k’s. It’s good to get off the main street, then you’ll find something. There’s always a little restaurant, and they’re always very welcoming, very nice people.
Have you tried any local foods? Likes? Dislikes?
Well, I was a bit skeptical at the start, because it’s hard when you’re used to a certain diet in Australia and then suddenly you’ve just gotta throw that out the door and eat fish and rice for breakfast. Sometimes it’s tough to adjust, I think that’s why you lose a little bit of weight too. One of the best finds was this organic, all-you-can-eat joint. We’ve been bashing that joint, every week we go there. Organic buffet, but they also walk around and give you pizzas as you eat. It’s legit*. And they have vegetable smoothies there too. It’s been a lifesaver, we probably go there a bit too much. [laughs]
*literally “legitimate”, meaning cool, not fake.
Back home you’ve become a rugby star. It must have been hard to leave your Australian fans. But on the other hand, are you enjoying being a little out of the limelight since being in Japan?
I’d say yes. Definitely. Even though I’m not that bloody famous back home, it was getting to a point where it was a bit intrusive. If you’re going for an anniversary dinner with your partner, or a birthday party or something, you can’t focus on who you’re with, because people come over and often they’ve had a few drinks, so they carry on a bit. I’m cool for a chinwag* and anything else, but yeah, sometimes it can get a bit much. So I was actually a bit keen to get away from it for a bit. And Fukuoka’s good for that. But people do manage to pop up every now and then. Even at that organic joint, a bloke turns up there saying “You’re the Honey Badger” and I’m thinking “All the way in Fukuoka…”
*chat
Are there any other players overseas that you’re in contact with, or getting mentorship from? Anything like that?
Mainly they players that have been here awhile. The older players, they’re good to have around because they take you round, organise a scooter for you, help you out. Jimmy, Solly and Tim have been great.
Some of Nick’s team mates: Timothy Lafaele, Justin Coveney, Soloomon King and Tim Bateman
Is there anyone in the league, or any team that you’re looking forward to playing against?
I’m actually keen to play all of them. I’m still getting used to the whole setup, but on every team there’s blokes that I’ve played against in the past. On the game day this weekend I was speaking with Chris Latham – had a yarn to him, he was working for the opposition. He’s a big wheel in Australian rugby, and not a bad bloke either. There’s always familiar faces around, and it’s good to catch up with them and see how they’ve been going. Usually when you see them in Australia or New Zealand it’s really full on and you’re not really allowed to talk to eachother. But over here it’s all good. I like it.
What’s your impression of the Japanese fans at the games?
Yeah, they had them little blow-up doovers, they were smackin’ them together, and they were pretty loud. That was awesome, it’s what we need. But I reckon it’s going to get even better. That stadium – we wanna pack that thing out. At the moment we’re headed in the right direction. After the game you always go over and take photos and shake the hands with fans, and they were all stoked on Saturday. They were all looking at me as if I was from another planet. [laughs] Maybe because I don’t look like the average bloke around here.
Japan will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019, do you sense that is a big motivator for your fellow Japanese players?
Yeah, I ‘spose it’s going to be great for rugby here. You see all the staff here are very keen on the idea of building players from the younger grades. We have good involvement with them to build their skills. I think for Japan, having a World Cup will put it on the map. It’ll be awesome.
Any advice for Japan in their quest to become world class contenders? Anything they should be doing?
Look, they don’t lack any heart. They’re very courageous, they’re hardworking and they’re disciplined. It’s just naturally a timing thing, building a good skill base in the players and beef ’em up a bit. Once you get that good foundation, I think they could be dangerous. They’ve got some very skillful blokes over here. I was always told that it’s backyard footy, or whatever, but it’s not. It’s good quality.
Originally published in Fukuoka Now (fn190, Oct. 2014)
