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McCabe: won 26 caps for the Wallabies. Tertius Pickard
Decision time

Australia's McCabe on verge of retirement after fracturing neck for a third time

A specialist has advised the 26-year-old utility back to hang up his boots.

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL PAT McCabe is reported to be on the brink of retirement after fracturing his neck for a third time.

The 26-year-old suffered a jarring knock on Saturday night in Australia’s 51-20 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park.

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham indicated yesterday that McCabe had hung up his boots after a meeting with a specialist confirmed another fracture.

Larkham said: “He’s since seen a specialist in Sydney and the specialist has confirmed it is a fracture in there, and that he strongly suggests never to play ever again.

“I think at this stage, Patty’s made the decision that he’s not going to play again.”

But the Brumbies moved to clarify those comments last night and said that a definitive statement was due on Thursday.

McCabe first fractured his neck in 2012 on the Wallabies European tour and suffered another neck injury in the 23-21 loss to the British and Irish Lions at Brisbane last year which ruled him out for the season.

“The good thing is he’s in a neck brace at the moment and will stay in that neck brace for the next couple of months and the neck should heal up fine, but (it’s) devastating that he won’t play rugby again,” said Larkham.

McCabe has played 24 Tests for Australia.

– Additional reporting by AFP

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