Rugby union
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IT'S more than a month before Wagga gets its long awaited taste of Super Rugby, but the clash is already building to great heights.
The ACT Brumbies will tackle the Otago Highlanders in a trial at Equex on January 31, just weeks before the start of the Super Rugby season.
Former Brumbies and Wallabies player Pat McCabe was in Wagga to launch ticket sales for the match yesterday, and believes the game will be a great opportunity for Wagga's children to see quality rugby.
"As a young kid I would have absolutely loved to have seen players like David Pocock and Stephen Moore up close and personal and playing at your local ground," McCabe said.
"It's pretty special and hasn't happened since 2005, so it doesn't happen too often."
Wagga's rugby talent will get plenty of exposure too.
Two curtain-raisers, featuring some of Southern Inland Rugby Union's best players, will be played plus there an opportunity for junior rugby players to be involved on the day.
Bringing the game deeper into Brumbies territory is something the outside centre will benefit the rugby community.
"Anytime you get to play a game in front of the wider Brumbies community, not just the local Canberra community, is always a great occasion," McCabe said.
"To be playing against such a great international team at a smaller ground and in front of people who don't get to see you quite as often will be a great occasion and certainly one a lot of the guys are looking forward to."
McCabe retired in August after breaking his neck for the third time in three years, but remains in the Brumbies fold.
As part of his transition out of the game he's working as a special projects manager for the club and is closing in on completing a commerce degree.
The Brumbies have already indicated they plan to take a full strength squad for the game and are expecting the same from their Dunedin-based rivals.
That squad includes three current All Blacks and McCabe expects their big names, plus the plethora of Wallabies to play for the Brumbies, to draw a big crowd.
"I think at the moment Aaron Smith is the best halfback in the world and Ben Smith is the best fullback in the world and between those two I think the ticket sales should be strong," McCabe said.
The Highlanders will spend almost a week in Wagga as they continue their preparations for the season in the city after the trial game.
Tickets for the trial match are now available for purchase in Wagga and those who buy before the day will receive a 50 per cent discount.
SUPER RUGBY TRIAL TICKETS
ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders
Equex Centre, January 31
Kickoff: 7pm. Gates open: 2.45pm
Pre-sale tickets: $10 adults, $5 kids (5-17 years), under 5 free
Game day tickets: $20 adults, $10 kids (5-17 years)
Game day hospitality packages available for $60
Tickets available at Sportsmans Warehouse, Hunters, Southern Inland Rugby Union (Sturt Street) and Brumbies HQ, Canberra
FOR most breaking your neck three times in three years would be considered unlucky, but former Wallabies and Brumbies player Pat McCabe see things very differently.
In his short lived playing career, McCabe but has hampered by a re-occurring neck issue that ultimately ended his career.
Three months ago, when he broke his neck for the third time playing for the Wallabies, he decided to walk away from the sport he'd devoted so much time to.
With the prospect of sustaining permanent damage, the 26-year-old is starting life after football.
However he had no regrets over his time of the field.
Instead he counts himself lucky.
"It would have been nice not to have had those injuries, but I was incredibly lucky," McCabe said.
"To fracture my neck three times and still be here walking around, and other than rugby, being able to do the things I want to is something which I'm incredibly thankful for.
"I loved every minute playing for the Brumbies and the Wallabies so no I don't regret anything."
All three of his injuries were more innocuous incidents than big collisions.
In fact the first time he fractured his C1 vertebra it took days to diagnose.
He simply shook it off as a sore neck and it was only when the problem persisted scans were taken.
Coming back twice from the serious injury, McCabe's renown toughness was only emphasised more.
But the death of Phillip Hughes was another reminder of just how lucky he is.
"You only have to look as far as someone like Phillip Hughes recently to see who precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away," McCabe said.
"To have the near misses I had is something I'm very thankful for."
With the Super Rugby season fast approaching watching his former teammates on the field will be tough, but for now he's adjusting to sit on the sidelines.
"I think when the season does come around I'll miss it a lot," McCabe said.
"They were running fitness in the rain (on Tuesday) and I was pretty happy not to be here, but most days I wish I was there and I guess that's something to get used to."