McCaw return boosts Canterbury

Richie McCaw

The concept of sudden death implies the presence of mere mortals.

However, Richie McCaw's status - in rugby eyes at least - indicates that if anyone can debunk that myth it is the All Black captain.

McCaw, caricatured as Superman this season, returns to the provincial arena at Westpac Stadium tonight - for the first Air New Zealand Cup quarter-final between Wellington and Canterbury.

His return marks the flanker's first game since the final Tri-Nations test against the Springboks on September 3 in Rustenberg.

Since then, McCaw has been giving leadership advice to adidas executives in Singapore, watching little sister Joanne at the provincial netball championships in Auckland and resting.

Given the physical pounding he copped while leading the All Blacks, not even the most myopic Cantab would begrudge McCaw a rest, though there will also be a collective sigh of relief when he runs on in the red-and-black No 7 jersey.

McCaw's presence should prove a significant boost to a Canterbury team who have frustratingly failed to cobble together a compelling 80-minute performance all season.

With Reuben Thorne sidelined by injury, and only the recent arrival of Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger, McCaw will be expected to add on-field leadership for a group also missing regular captain Corey Flynn.

While expectations will automatically be high, Canterbury coach Rob Penney sounded a cautionary note ahead of the rematch of September 17's clash - a nailbiter settled by Ma'a Nonu's injury-time try.

"The addition of Richie is a boost but, like last weekend [against Auckland], we can't fall into the trap of expecting the returning All Blacks to shoulder the burden," he said. "Beating Auckland [27-22] was a team effort and every success we have going forward will also require a peak performance from everyone involved."

Realistically, it could be too much to expect McCaw to emulate instantly his Tri-Nations form, particularly in a match with so much riding on it.

Wellington, too, will be relying on a clutch of All Blacks slightly more up to speed than their skipper. Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Piri Weepu have all got a run under their belts - a positive sign for Durban-bound coach John Plumtree before what is clearly the pick of the quarter-finals.

- NZPA