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Former Wallabies star and television personality Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins has been hailed as a hero for saving the life of a three-year-old girl in a shocking playground incident.
Cummins - who is known for his colourful personality and larrikin humour - played for the Western Force and the Wallabies, earning fans for his hard-running style and memorable one-liners.
After retiring, he became a TV star and appeared as The Bachelor Australia in 2018.
Now he can add superhero to that list of accomplishments, after rushing to the aid of the young child at the Lower Eltham Playground in Melbourne's north.
The family of the little girl took to Facebook to thank Cummins for his actions, explaining how he helped save her life.
'I wanted to thank the man who saved my granddaughter's life on Saturday 4th October at the Lower Eltham Playground,' the girl's grandmother Robyn wrote in a local Facebook group.
Former Australian rugby union player Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins saved the life of a three-year-old girl who was choking
Cummins, a father himself, sprang into action when he saw the incident unfolding at a local Melbourne park
Cummins has been hailed as a hero for his quick thinking as he saved the young girl
'It was her 3rd birthday and my daughter [her mother] was there preparing for the family to arrive.
'Maddy started choking on a soft lolly and my daughter was beside herself trying to apply first aid to no avail.
'Then a 'big strong young bloke' appeared from nowhere, and after a couple of unsuccessful attempts held Maddy upside down applying a couple of extra strong thumps which successfully dislodged it from her trachea.
'God bless you, whoever you are, and we will all be forever grateful to you - each year we will remember you.'
A witness confirmed the unnamed hero was the Honey Badger.
'I was there at the park with my daughters at the time,' she wrote.
'Both your daughter and granddaughter were extremely brave during and after this very scary ordeal.
'I'm not sure if he would want to be named or not, but since he so readily jumped in to help and I'm sure he would be grateful for the thanks; the man who saved her was Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins.
Cummins made headlines four years ago when he rescued a sheep that had become trapped in barbed wire (pictured)
Cummins is a well-loved Aussie personality known for his big personality and colourful turns of phrase
'I'm so glad your granddaughter is doing well and happily played and enjoyed her party afterwards.'
It is not the first time Cummins has swung into action to save a life. In 2021, he put his strength and quick thinking to good use by rescuing a sheep trapped in a barbed wire fence.
The former Wallabies star stopped his car after spotting the struggling animal and carefully freed its head before hoisting it over to safety.
Cummins joked that the sheep usually go into a 'hypnotised state' when handled that way, before swinging it to freedom.
Ever the larrikin, he ended the video with a grin and the line, 'You're welcome.'
