There were times hard running Wallabies centre Pat McCabe doubted he’d ever reach his upcoming 50th Super Rugby match during the long road to recovery from successive broken necks.
Yet the Brumbies inside centre will achieve that milestone this Saturday when he makes his long awaited return alongside superstar flanker David Pocock in the season opener against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium.
With incumbent inside centre Christian Lealiifano still recovering from ankle surgery, the Brumbies have thrown their full support behind McCabe’s rehabilitation by giving him first dibs at No.12 ahead of several other strong candidates.
It shows just how highly they rate the 25-year-old, who has played just a tad over 80 minutes during trials since breaking his neck for the second time in seven months against the British and Irish Lions last July.
“There were a few times with both injuries that I wasn’t sure exactly what was going to happen (with my future),” McCabe said.
“But I’m really happy to be here, and to play all (50 games) with the Brumbies is something I’m really proud of.”
And while the pre-match nerves are still there, McCabe insists all doubts in the strength of his neck are long gone.
“It was twice in the same spot,” he said.
“The second time it has healed a lot stronger than it did the first time, and the scans look a lot better.”
Despite McCabe receiving a head knock in just the 15th minute of his return match against the Highlanders three weeks ago, Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher said the 20-Test back showed no lack of confidence in last week’s trial against the ACT XV.
“He was fantastically robust, Fisher said”
“I see a bloke ready to go and ready to show what he’s capable of doing.”
Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Jarrad Butler, David Pocock, Ben Mowen (c), Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. Res: Siliva Siliva, Ruan Smith, Ruaidhri Murphy, Leon Power, Lachlan McCaffrey, Conrad Hoffman, Tevita Kuridrani, Lionel Cronje.
Redsfan1
Guest
Glad McCabe is playing. He is so predictable & injury prone he is no help to the Brumbies. A direct runner with no size, speed, who simply refuses to pass. A foolish move by the Brumbies to move him back to the centres.
Chivas
Guest
And for the record, many top first fives have been flaky tacklers, so I'm not sure why comments saying he is a bit soft in contact is met with such defensiveness. Mostly things are said in jest. For mine I am more interested in his kicking out of hand, passing accurately (not into the dirt), running and taking on the line directly (not two steps and pass). I think his decision making is solid, his execution is improving and he is playing the percentages better i.e he is continuing to evolve. Like everyone who has a step and has quick reactions, the tricks work for a bit and then you become reliant on them and a bit lazy, in the meantime other teams are developing too and you get found out a bit and the tricks and steps don't make the ground and consequently the errors are magnified. As players stop falling for the slight of hand, he has to mature his game and evolve. As I say I think he is developing into a genuine class first five. But he will need to show some real leadership this year. A big year for him and one in which I really hope he succeeds.
Chivas
Guest
Problem is Cooper doesn't commit. In the one off case of Rene Ranger (which is trotted out as an example of his defensive prowess) he was in the open and could line him up. Furthermore, Rene Ranger is no Lomu and many of the missed tackles of Quade Cooper have been from far less inspired runners than McCabe. Pretty sure if you look at his missed tackles, many of them have been pretty flaky. Can he tackle, yes. Does he, not consistently or well for mine. Let is see how he goes this year. But right now for me Cooper is not a tackling machine who only slips up against big hard running centres, no matter whether he tackled Rene Ranger once.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Id say that the club would have consulted a doctor or 2.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Quade will just step aside anyway.
lex
Guest
I agree with Melon that he shouldn't be playing - two neck breaks is nature's way of telling you to retire. But if he's on the Brumbies' roster and the medical specialists give him the green light, could the club refuse to select him for medical reasons? In the workforce generally an employer who took such a step would be open to legal action for discrimination. It seems to put the club in a very difficult position.
RobC
Guest
Didn't read the article. Just saw the headline. With two neck breaks in 7 months. It may be understandable when a player wants to prove himself. What I don't understand is how his club could objectively let him continue. Do something else.
Justin3
Guest
I dont think Cooper would be overly fussed about MCcabe. He is hardly a Renee Ranger....
Magic Sponge
Guest
Just run at Quade all night and you will have no chance of getting injured
Crash Ball2
Guest
Best of luck to a gutsy, wholehearted and resilient club man. I hope he stays injury free and gets an extended run in the Ponies outside backline which (particularly for a team espousing a more adventurous 2014 attack), is the only place he should be deployed.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Shouldn't be playing.
Shop
Roar Guru
Don't know how many neck injuries and concussions I'd need before I gave it away but I hope he avoids any more. I also think he is a better wing than centre. Wasn't that his original position?