News

McCaw faces gruelling comeback

July 15 2009

Richie McCaw will be thrown in at the deep end when he returns to international rugby with a full 80 minutes against Australia in the curtain raiser for the Tri-Nations.

McCaw suffered two knee injuries during his Super 14 campaign with the Crusaders, and will return to international rugby in the heat of a Bledisloe Cup battle.

Australia visit Eden Park on Saturday for the first game in this season's Tri Nations, and All Blacks skipper McCaw will face a huge test.

After missing the June Tests against France and Italy, McCaw is back in the fold and expected to play the full 80 minutes, with no openside flanker named on the bench by Graham Henry.

Now, in his first Test since last November, McCaw will face a trio of Aussies with George Smith starting in his 100th Test, and with flankers Phil Waugh and David Pocock on the bench and expected to play in the second half.

Although McCaw said he struggled somewhat during his return to action for Christchurch last week, he will be stepping up for a full game for New Zealand.

All Blacks' forward coach Steve Hansen told reporters in Auckland on Wednesday that they expect McCaw to be able to play the full game.

"We expect him to play the 80 (minutes)," said Hansen.

"He's done it before, he's our leader and we want him on the park.

"He's trained well, he's confident he can go 80 and I'm confident he's got the mental aptitude to do that as well."