All Blacks: Carter a bonus if fit - McCaw

Injured All Black Dan Carter is on track to return for the early rounds of the Air NZ Cup. Photo / Getty Images

CENTURION - Captain Richie McCaw has reacted with cautious optimism to news that fellow-All Blacks great Daniel Carter is on the verge of a return to rugby.

First five-eighth Carter needed to pass a fitness test before he could be cleared to play for his Southbridge club on Saturday - nearly six months after rupturing his Achilles tendon in France.

Carter's latest advance suggests he is on track for some game time for Canterbury early in the Air NZ Cup, leaving the door open on a possible All Blacks return before the Tri-Nations finishes in two months.

"I guess it's a possibility because we go right through until late September," McCaw said.

"Whether that's the right thing for him or not, is up to the coaches to decide.

"If he is ready to come back in, it would be a bonus but you wouldn't want to put him back in here if he wasn't ready.

"You've got to play it by ear but it's nice to hear he's back having a trot."

McCaw himself returned to rugby via Christchurch club rugby two weeks ago.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has refused to elaborate on Carter's chances of an international recall, preferring to let the recovery process take its course.

New Zealand's final Tri-Nations tests are against Australia in Wellington on September 12 and South Africa in Hamilton on September 19.

- NZPA