Richie McCaw

All Black captain Richie McCaw is likely to start for the Crusaders in their Super Rugby Semi-Final against the Sharks in Christchurch on Saturday.

McCaw, who has not played since fracturing a rib while captaining the All Blacks against England last month, took part in the Crusaders’ training session on Monday.

Assistant coach Tabai Matson said that McCaw only needed to emerge unscathed from training over the next two days to confirm his place in the side for the match at AMI Stadium.

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“We have learned in the past that it is fine to be available to play, but we need people who are ready to go and be 100 miles an hour and not kind of building into the game,” said Matson.

”It will really be determined by how he feels over the next 24 to 48 hours.”

With Matt Todd in fine form at openside flank, McCaw is expected to start on the blindside, with Jordan Taufua on the bench.

The Sharks qualified for a Semi-Final with the Crusaders after edging the Highlanders 31-27 in an exciting playoff game in Durban at the weekend.

The Crusaders have home ground advantage for the clash, but will be wary of the fact that the Sharks beat them 30-25 at AMI Stadium earlier in the season.