Western Force’s “honey badger”, Nick Cummins, will become the 11th player in 2012 to make his Test debut for the injury-riddled Wallabies when they meet Argentina.
Nicknamed Badger due to his outspoken admiration for the small fearless mammal, Cummins will line up on the wing when Australia start as underdogs against the Pumas in Saturday night’s (Sunday morning AEDT) Rugby Championship clash.
The selection comes a day before his 25th birthday and he’s one of five changes to the starting team which fell 31-8 to South Africa in Pretoria last weekend.
Coach Robbie Deans has responded to the loss and the Wallabies’ inability to win the collision battles by beefing up his side and Cummins has won out over rookie winger Dom Shipperley.
Queensland duo Ben Tapuai and Mike Harris also start in a reshaped backline missing injured pair Adam Ashley-Cooper (concussion) and Berrick Barnes (punctured lung).
In the forward pack, Deans has added extra power with 125kg powerhouse Sitaleki Timani returning from a hamstring injury to replace Dave Dennis at flanker, while James Slipper starts in the front row ahead of loose-head prop Benn Robinson.
On the fringes of the Wallabies squad since 2009, Cummins was expected to get his Test call-up if Digby Ioane’s knee failed to recover but Deans opted to play him at the expense of youngster Shipperley.
He says he models himself on the honey badger and is inspired to play like the fearless animal which lives in Africa.
“Nick has waited patiently for his chance, but has earned the right to represent his country,” Deans said.
“We know that the Pumas will be coming straight at us, and will be looking to profit in the collision in the same way that the Springboks did last week.
“We have gone for the players we feel are best suited to that approach.”
Harris will take over the fullback and goalkicking duties from Barnes while Tapuai will make his run-on Test debut from outside centre after being preferred ahead of Anthony Faingaa.
Timani’s return sees Australia start with three regular second-rowers in a monster 921kg pack.
“As with the backs, we’ve looked to increase our physicality to counter the direct force that will undoubtedly be coming the other way,” Deans said.
Back-rower Scott Higginbotham has overcome the back problem which ruled him out of the Springboks loss to be named on a 5-2 bench.
Wallabies: Mike Harris, Nick Cummins, Ben Tapuai, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps; Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson, Dave Dennis, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Dom Shipperley.