The All Black captain Richie McCaw could make an early return from an ankle injury in the Tri-Nations rugby test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday night.
He's been bracketed with Daniel Braid at openside flanker just five weeks after it looked as if he'd out for at least another week.
Coach Graham Henry has made five changes to the side which lost to South Africa in Dunedin and says McCaw's chances of playing are 50-50.
Henry's other changes see Brad Thorn back from suspension at lock with Ali Williams, Greg Somerville at tight head prop, Richard Kahui at centre and Anthony Tuitavake on the right wing.
