A shattered McCabe thought he'd never play again when he was taken to hospital in a neck brace last weekend after feeling the same shooting pain as when he'd broken his neck twice in the past two years.

In a remarkable turnaround, the Brumbies centre has been hailed as one of the toughest and most courageous players in world rugby after delivering his best game in two years on Friday night.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham rates McCabe just behind Wallabies great George Smith in braveness, while All Blacks great Jeff Wilson was amazed McCabe was still playing.

''I got a knock last week and I got the symptoms I had when I broke my neck both times,'' McCabe said.

''It ended up being some muscle damage … it was very, very scary, but it was a confidence booster to know it was all good.

''Yeah, I did think it was the end [last week]. I was a bit more teary in the sheds than I would have liked. On my way to hospital I thought I might have played my last game.

''To six days later get a win over the Hurricanes in New Zealand, it's surreal. That's footy.''

McCabe has earned a reputation for being courageous.

At the 2011 World Cup, he played the tournament with a dislocated shoulder, famously leaving the field battered and bloodied in the quarter-final win against South Africa.

He had a shoulder reconstruction as soon as the World Cup finished.

The next two years got worse, first breaking his neck on the Wallabies' spring tour of Europe in November 2012, then again during the tour of the British and Irish Lions in June last year.

But his commitment to the Brumbies never wavered.

McCabe was outstanding against the Hurricanes, running for more than 200 metres and breaking more than 10 tackles.

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''He's broken his neck twice, thought he'd done it again six days ago … guys like that make your team,'' Mowen said of McCabe. ''He's a very special character. I know he's the Brumbies' version of Chuck Norris. He's tough as, he's a big-game player.'' Larkham rated McCabe one of the toughest players he had ever seen in world rugby.

''What a fightback for Patty. There's more to come for Patty. He's one of the toughest players I've ever known,'' Larkham said.

''We're lucky to have him. George Smith is pretty tough. He gets bashed every week, he's up there, but Patty's not far behind.''

McCabe has taken over the Brumbies' No.12 duties as Wallabies star Christian Lealiifano is out of action until March 28.

He showed against the Hurricanes that he's added a new playmaker dimension to his game to complement his bash-and-crash style. ''He doesn't know any other way than being tough, does he?'' said Wilson, the veteran of 60 Tests with the All Blacks.

''It's unbelievable he's out there. I'm sure he's thankful he's out there but after beating the Hurricanes I'm sure the Brumbies are thankful to. Sometimes his play would be regarded as reckless because there's such a determination. But that's his job and he does it very, very well.''

What does McCabe think?

''That Chuck Norris stuff doesn't sit well with me,'' McCabe laughed. Everyone has niggles, mine just happens to be with my neck. I'm no different to any one else. I don't know what's happening with my head, it's just a confrontational game. I've had a string of knocks. I got through tonight and I should be sweet next week.''