The All Black captain, by his own admission, is not at the top of his game. He was troubled by a foot injury for the majority of the Super 15, and he still has not got over the disappointment of losing the final to the Reds.
It was a bitter pill for a Crusaders team forced to play every game on the road following the February earthquake.
But this is a big year for McCaw and there is plenty of rugby ahead. There is a little thing called the World Cup which gets under way in New Zealand on September 9.
And McCaw, no doubt like most of the All Blacks arriving in Dunedin today for Friday's test against Fiji, cannot wait.
"I feel in a good space. I'm excited because I haven't played a lot of rugby and I can't wait to get out on the field," he said.
"That is probably one positive compared to if I had played every game. There is no doubt I'm not playing the best rugby I've played. But it was good to get a couple of games under the belt and, hopefully, I've put the foot injury behind me.
"I just have to be confident that once I get the fitness going, I'll start playing some better rugby. I've been able to do it over the years and there is no reason why I can't get better."
Cooper and halfback Will Genia were instrumental in the Reds' success this season. Both are expected to line up for Australia in the crunch games at the World Cup, and many fans this side of the Tasman have been focusing on the threat they will pose the home side.
For an openside flanker, the opposition's first five is the No 1 target. The All Blacks will probably not play the Wallabies unless both reach the final, but Cooper is on notice.
"He has played some good rugby this year, so, you know..." McCaw said, trailing off.
"He did a good job."
Nothing menacing in that, but sometimes it is all in the tone. You just feel there is a sense of unfinished business in McCaw's voice. And the Super 15 final is still a sore point.
"It still hurts a bit, to be honest, because we didn't play particularly well. But when you come into the All Blacks you don't want to focus too much and what has happened. It is easier to look forward and it is a way of getting over it."
The All Blacks open their international season against Fiji at Carisbrook on Friday and then play South Africa and Australia in home and away Tri Nations games in July and August.
McCaw was not concerned by South Africa's decision to field an understrength side on its tour down under.
Officially, the Springboks are resting 21 players who are too injured to travel. McCaw believes it is a repeat of the tactic South Africa used before the 2007 World Cup.
"There is no doubt they want to keep their guys fresh because it has been a rugged old season. I know people want to see the best guys playing but, from our perspective, when we play the Springboks we won't be approaching any differently."
The test against Fiji will be the last at Carisbrook. The next time the All Blacks play in Dunedin will be at Forsyth Barr Stadium. McCaw had a tour of the roofed venue when the Crusaders played the Highlanders in March and was inspired.
"I was hugely impressed. I think it is going to be fantastic... You're going to be out of the elements, it will be a great atmosphere and it will be awesome to play there."
The All Blacks are doing some junior coaching at the Edgar Centre this afternoon. Their training at Carisbrook at 11am tomorrow is open to the public.
