McCaw up for return this weekend

Richie McCaw

CHRISTCHURCH - All Blacks vice-captain Richie McCaw is ready to re-enter the NPC fray and says Canterbury have to set their sights on securing the top qualifier's spot for the playoffs.

McCaw, test five-eighths Aaron Mauger and Dan Carter and lock Chris Jack are all expected back at training today as Canterbury prepare for Saturday's match against third-placed Otago in Dunedin.

McCaw hailed the efforts of the young Canterbury team in leading the NPC and staving off three tough Ranfurly Shield challenges.

He said Canterbury had shown "some bloody good character" in withstanding Wellington's onslaught and he thought "the whole back-row, Johnny [Leo'o], Mose [Tuiali'i] and Reuben [Thorne] have been playing some really great rugby in the last couple of weeks".

McCaw - who captained Canterbury to the NPC title last year - said the urge to don the boots again hit him last week.

"I really started to want to get back into it, which is a good thing."

McCaw had yet to talk to coaches Aussie McLean and Rob Penney about plans for the Otago match.

"But I'll certainly be putting my name in the hat."

- NZPA