He should have been wearing a Wallabies jersey at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on Saturday night for Australia's biggest rugby match since the 2003 World Cup final, but McCabe will be wearing a neck brace instead.

In his first interview since fracturing his neck in the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions, McCabe said he was awaiting medical clearance but aiming to return for the Brumbies for next year's pre-season.

''The whole time [doctors have said] it's not unstable,'' he said. ''They said it might be painful, but I can handle that. There's so much more I want to do and achieve in rugby and I'm not ready to stop.

''I don't think my neck's ever going to be perfect now. But it is how it is and hopefully it stays intact and from everything they've said it won't be an issue.

''There are a few scans to go … but if the doctor says it's fine to go, I have no reservations about going back out there.''

McCabe fractured the same C1 vertebra while playing for the Wallabies on the spring tour last November. But his first thoughts when the injury happened again a fortnight ago were ''why won't they let me play?''

''Obviously the doc made the right decision, but I just wanted to keep going. I probably knew I'd hurt it again, but you don't want to face up to that when you do it.''

McCabe will spend at least six weeks in a neck brace as he begins a stressful and draining recovery process.

The injury has ruined his hopes of being part of a historic Lions series and he will return to Canberra next week to be with the Brumbies as they prepare for the Super Rugby finals.

McCabe was in Melbourne last weekend for the Wallabies' thrilling one-point win, but has preferred to keep his distance from the squad as it prepares for a blockbuster third Test in Sydney.

''A couple of people have said to me, 'You're a long time living after rugby so make sure you're right'. That's good advice,'' McCabe said.

''I've been told I'm in no way threatening my life by coming back, I wouldn't do that. As long as that's the case I'll be happy coming back.

''If my health was at risk, I could stop now. But I just want to get back and be better for the Brumbies.''

McCabe, 25, has suffered an injury curse this year.

He broke his neck on the spring tour and spent three months out of training. When he tried to make a comeback, he tore his hamstring.

Six weeks into his second comeback, he injured his knee and just one game into his third comeback, he broke his neck again.

''I guess the only thing you can do is write it off as my worst and probably toughest year and hope it stays like that,'' he said.