Wynne Gray: Sound skippers are hard to find

Ritchie McCaw. Photo / AP

Finding fit Tri-Nations skippers is proving tricky this season and sorting World Cup captains equally tricky.

Richie McCaw is expected to suit up for the Crusaders this weekend but another false start after his foot injury might have the All Blacks panel looking for the rosary beads.

Let's look on the positive side, as Steve "Shag" Hansen would implore.

The layoff has given the multi-decorated McCaw ample time to rest and recondition ahead of his third tilt at the World Cup.

He last played a full game in anger for the All Blacks the other side of Christmas in Wales.

Let's hope that in nearly five months away from the cut and thrust of serious rugby, he has not lost any of those formidable skills which have made him the premier openside in world rugby for the last decade.

He is primed to start at No 8 this weekend in Perth after his "thanks but no thanks I've got a World Cup to think of" reply to the royal wedding invite.

Just the sort of exquisite timing you would expect from the All Blacks captain.

The Wallabies have not been so fortunate.

Their latest captain Rocky Elsom has been seen around Canberra but he has yet to join the Brumbies for any weekend work.

He has a hamstring injury which refuses to heal completely. Elsom can exercise for a while but not enough to last a game.

Off-season surgery was discounted but Elsom's continuing discomfort is putting extra heat on the Brumbies and Wallabies.

Some see Elsom's absence as a blessing, a chance for some inspiring leadership for the Wallabies from James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe or Will Genia.

Elsom is a powerful blindside flanker and a key part of the pack.

But he also has a reputation as a loner and there were murmurs last season that coach Robbie Deans wondered if he had made the right decision.

The uncooperative hamstring might become a handy exit clause.

In South Africa, coach Peter de Villiers remains convinced John Smit will captain the Springboks. It is a similar situation with the Sharks where Smit is skipper while Bismarck du Plessis is considered the best hooker.

Smit has been used as a stop-gap prop in the Super 15, but is much more effective at hooker though less so than the mobile aggressive du Plessis.

On the downside du Plessis does not have Smit's leadership acumen. He is a hothead and concedes a high number of turnovers and penalties.

Smit raised the Webb Ellis Cup to global acclaim in 2007 but no captain has lifted the trophy twice and his retention suggests the Boks will not do it again.