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Robbie Abel willing to give MMA a go if it makes Brumbies better

ACT Brumbies hooker Robbie Abel says they're not "afraid to try things" and if mixed martial arts is "on the cards" then they bring it on board.

Under the guidance of former Brumbies coach Eddie Jones, the England rugby union team has turned to MMA in their quest to become the worlds best.

Abel said the Brumbies hadn't done any MMA or wrestling as part of their training, but he pointed out they did have defensive coach Peter Ryan, who played and coached with NRL team Brisbane Broncos.

The NRL is renowned for the wrestling that goes on in the game, but it was yet to take hold in rugby union.

Abel was willing to give it a go if it proved successful for England.

"There's a little bit of wrestle in the things that we do. We have Peter Ryan, who has come from a league background and a rugby background," he said.

"We try to take as many things as we can from wherever it is to make ourselves better. But hey, if it works it works I guess. We're not a club that's afraid to try things. If that's on the cards then maybe we give it a go."