Wallabies in danger of losing Hanigan to ambitious French club just as forward enters his prime
Ned Hanigan is one of the in-form forwards in Australian rugby who looks set to finally turn promise into quality on the international stage,…
The Brumbies have watered down head coach Stephen Larkham’s comments that hardman Pat McCabe has retired, saying the 26-year-old’s playing future hinges on a meeting with the Wallabies’ doctor.
McCabe fractured his neck in the Wallabies’ 51-20 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday, with Larkham telling ABC radio on Wednesday morning the 24-Test winger had decided to hang up his boots after consulting with a specialist.
“Pat has made the decision he’s not going to play again,” Larkham said.
“The good thing is he’s in a neck brace at the moment … and the neck should heal up fine, but devastating that he won’t play rugby again.”
However in a bizarre twist, the Brumbies quickly played down their head coach’s comments, sending out a clarification on Twitter just hours later.
“Contrary to reports Pat McCabe has not yet retired. Pat has a meeting with (Wallabies doctor) Warren McDonald today, statement coming Thursday, not before.”
Dubbed Super Rugby’s version of “Chuck Norris”, McCabe fought back from a second broken neck suffered in a Test against the British and Irish Lions last year to reach career best form in 2014.
“Pat has had a number of good years at the Brumbies, I really thought this year was his best year in terms of performance,” Larkham said.
“He had a really good pre-season, he had a bit of a scare earlier in the year but he overcame that and fought his way back into the Wallabies side and I thought things were up and up for him from here.”
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