The All Blacks enjoyed having their captain Richie McCaw back in the fold at their first training of the week ahead of Saturday night's Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney.
McCaw returned a week earlier than expected after suffering an ankle ligament injury playing against England just over five weeks ago.
He managed to get through most parts of the session and a continuation of that this week should see him play. McCaw is likely to be bracketed with Daniel Braid with the team is named this afternoon.
Hooker Andrew Hore says they're all back fresh and raring to go after a week off and that loss still in their minds and having McCaw show he's keen to play certainly helps.
Hore says McCaw is the world's best No.7 if not the best player in the world and it's just good to have him back in the camp with his knowledge and experience - and the hooker says McCaw is looking fit too.
