WELLINGTON — New Zealand rugby captain Richie McCaw has been surprisingly named to make a possible return from an ankle injury in the All Blacks' Tri-Nations rugby test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.
McCaw, who injured his ankle against England last month and was expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks, has been bracketed with Daniel Braid in one of five changes to the starting team who lost 30-28 to South Africa on July 12.
The openside flanker had a 50/50 chance of playing, with a final decision dependant on how his ankle progresses this week, All Blacks coach Graham Henry told reporters in Wellington.
"Richie's just desperate to play for the All Blacks," Henry said, adding McCaw would make the final decision on his ability to play.
McCaw returned to training on Monday, with local media reporting he had trained at full pace with no signs of the ankle injury affecting him.
The inclusion of McCaw or Braid as a specialist openside flanker has forced a reshuffle of Henry's loose forward combination, with Rodney So'oialo shifting to blindside flanker in place of Adam Thomson. Jerome Kaino remains at number eight.
Brad Thorn returns from suspension to start at lock, while veteran prop Greg Somerville returns to the front row, relegating John Afoa to the bench.
In the backs Anthony Tuitavake replaces Rudi Wulf on the wing while Richard Kahui starts at centre ahead of Conrad Smith.
Kahui, who played his only test against England last month, is also a surprise selection, and has the tough task of marking hard-running Australian captain Stirling Mortlock.
"He plays with a lot of edge and we just feel he's ready to go this week," Henry said.
The changes were based on picking the best team to face Australia rather than poor form in the loss to South Africa, Henry said.
Australia beat South Africa 16-9 in Perth last Saturday.
The All Blacks leave for Sydney on Thursday.
New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Anthony Tuitavake, 13-Richard Kahui, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Andy Ellis, 8-Jerome Kaino, 7-Daniel Braid/Richie McCaw, 6-Rodney So'oialo, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-John Afoa, 18-Anthony Boric, 19-Sione Lauaki, 20-Jimmy Cowan, 21-Stephen Donald, 22-Conrad Smith
