Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins tipped as next Bachelor

AUSTRALIA’S most loveable rugby larrikin, Nick “The Honey Badger” Cummins, looks set to rebadge himself as the country’s most eligible bloke by becoming Channel 10’s next Bachelor.
The rugby union star, who is taking a break from the game after notching up 15 Test matches with the Australian Wallabies, is rumoured to be the shock new choice to front the popular dating show which begins filming this week.

Following in the footsteps of bulked-up hunks Tim Robards, Sam Wood and Matthew “Matty J” Johnson, Ten was reportedly keen to choose a well-known personality who would emulate the success of Sophie Monk’s turn as The Bachelorette — the Australian franchise’s first “celebrity” single.

Monk, who was initially seen as a ratings risk by some executives at the network, delivered Ten the highest audience of any season in its four-year history, thanks to her humour and “loveable bogan” appeal.

Now the network could be hoping The Honey Badger will deliver a similar ratings sweetener, with his profile, comedic value and sports following all part of the strategy to pull in more male viewers to add to the show’s devoted legion of female fans.

Cummins, a former Western Force favourite, has become as well known off the field as he has for his performance on it.

Often described as “the most Aussie bloke ever”, the 30-year-old adopted The Honey Badger moniker after watching a National Geographic documentary of the animal killing a lion in a one-on-one battle. The name soon stuck like, well, honey.
“I thought what an animal, that’s impressive,” he said.

More than 20 women are expected to enter the Bachelor mansion on Wednesday.