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Wallabies halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper marvel at Pat McCabe’s inspirational toughness – and their Queensland coach Richard Graham seemingly concurs, with the Reds placing their best defender, Anthony Fainga’a, into his path for Friday’s clash with the Brumbies.
McCabe, who played outside Genia and Cooper in Australia’s 2011 World Cup campaign, has made a remarkable comeback from two neck fractures to help the Brumbies charge to second place on the Super Rugby ladder.
Although the ACT outfit have both Matt Toomua and Christian Leali’ifano fit for the derby showdown at Suncorp Stadium, McCabe is a certainty to retain the hotly-contested No.12 jersey.
The hard-running centre was a two-try man-of-the-match in the 26-9 win over the Blues last weekend and also starred in their previous win over the Hurricanes.
This is after many rugby experts and former players felt the 26-year-old shouldn’t further tempt fate after a nightmare injury run.
“To see the hard work he’s put in and see him back out on the field and playing great football – hats off to him,” Cooper said.
“He’s come back from a very scary injury and it was only a few weeks ago that I was in a position where my neck was compromised and to see him come back from an actual broken neck and be playing great football is a credit to him.
“And his role in the team is a terrifying one!”
Genia said he was both proud and inspired by McCabe’s return and expected him to be a major midfield threat in the must-win match.
The Reds certainly need defensive linchpin Fainga’a to be at his tough-tackling best in his first run-on start of the season – in twin Saia’s 100th super match.
He replaces Mike Harris whose Achilles problem has him bracketed on the bench, with a decision on his availability to be made on game day.
Highlighting Queensland’s injury worries, lock-flanker Dave McDuling will make his Super debut if Harris is scratched due to a lack of fit backs in their squad.
The return of Chris Feauai-Sautia on the wing is one welcome boost for the Reds, who have lost three of their last four matches to be in 11th place.
“His explosive running will be an asset for us,” coach Richard Graham said.
Graham stuck with his worker-bee back-row amid calls for the bigger Curtis Browning to start at flanker.
But he conceded the Reds needed to be better at closing out games after failing to put the Lions and Western Force away in costly losses.
Reds: Ben Lucas, Rod Davies, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Fainga’a, Chris Feauai-Satutia, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Jake Schatz, Beau Robinson, Eddie Quirk, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, James Hanson, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga’a, Albert Anae, Jono Owen, Ed O’Donoghue, Curtis Browning, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris/Dave McDuling, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.