Former Wallabies winger Nick Cummins leaps into action to rescue little girl in Melbourne

The 38-year-old retired outside back, affectionately known as the 'Honey Badger', has been hailed by locals for his actions after springing into action this past weekend when a three-year-old girl started choking.

Cummins, who hung up his boots in 2016, noticed the little girl in distress at the Lower Eltham Playground in Melbourne's north. Her family later detailed the frightening incident on Facebook.

"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.

"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."

An onlooker revealed that it was Cummins who rose to the occasion and aided Maddy.

"I was there at the park with my daughters at the time," she wrote in a reply to the post.

"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."

News.com.au reached out to Cummins' management, who confirmed that it was the former Wallabies and Western Force star who leapt into action to aid the little girl.

This is just the latest act of the former winger coming to the rescue after a video of him saving a sheep stuck in a barbed-wire fence went viral back in 2021.

Cummins was a popular figure around the world during his playing days, becoming a cult hero of sorts because of his colourful personality and larrikin humour.

The hard-running back is remembered for his brilliant one-liners and flowing curly locks. After hanging up his boots, Cummins became a TV star Down Under after appearing as The Bachelor Australia in 2018.