Rugby World Cup: Nick Cummins still wants Australia spot

Australia wing Nick Cummins insists he has not given up on making next year's Rugby World Cup after starring against his compatriots at Twickenham on Saturday.

Cummins, who scored for the Barbarians against his international team-mates as the Baa-Baas lost 40-36, could extend his Japanese stint into a third year in exchange for a Super Rugby loan move that could re-ignite his World Cup chances.

The 27-year-old has pledged to fulfil his two-year deal with Japanese club Coca Cola West Red Sparks even though it may compromise his World Cup dream.

Cummins must complete next season's Super Rugby campaign to qualify for Australia selection, and is in talks to secure a short-term release from his club.

"I would love to be back in the mix there, but I've signed for two years in Japan and I'm a man of my word so I'll go through with that," said Cummins.

"If there's a chance we can work things out, I'd be stoked. We're being creative already, trying to get it through. Sometimes it's not so straightforward with the language barrier.

"I'm lucky enough to have a crew behind me, my agent and family: I'm happy to be on board and I'm doing my best.

"Contract-wise we're trying to be creative: it's not just about me taking, it's a two-way street, whatever I can give to them, and what they can do for me, hopefully we can work together. At the moment they have the power, so I suppose that's what we've been doing."

The Barbarians will face the Combined Services in the annual Remembrance fixture in Bath on November 11 and Cummins is keen to be involved in that game too.

He said: "I'd love to get involved in that. I'd like to hang around for that, but we'll have to talk to Coca Cola, again, and gee whizz, we'll see how that goes.

"A lot of people have got feelings towards that, and everyone's been told a lot of stories over the years about your grandparents and great-grandparents. It's one of those special things in everyone's hearts."