Phewwwwww! Richie McCaw is back.
The world-class openside flanker was in Dunedin on Saturday to promote the All Blacks Roadshow and told the Otago Daily Times he was "good to go".
And not before time.
In his absence, the All Blacks have made a forgettable beginning to their season.
They were caught cold in Dunedin by a determined France side before bouncing back in Wellington the following week.
Then they stumbled to a 27-6 win over the Italians in Christchurch.
Without captain McCaw, the All Blacks have lacked the touch of class he brings to the side of the scrum.
"I'm confident. I'm good to go," McCaw said of the knee injury which has left him sidelined since late May. "I've had two and a-half weeks of training and it is feeling pretty good.
"We've got a training camp Wednesday-Thursday this week where we are going to have a good hit out. There is also the possibility of playing club rugby."
The lucky club? Christchurch.
The last time McCaw played club rugby was in the 2001 club final.
Christchurch lost despite McCaw's help.
"It is not 100% confirmed but I was down at training on Thursday and I'm going to pop down [tomorrow]. If I get to the end of the week and I'm still feeling good, I'll have a run."
McCaw is fit but nothing beats match fitness and he could use the run, he said.
If he does play, McCaw knows he will be targeted.
"It's no different from any other game."
McCaw has been impressed with his replacements.
Otago's Adam Thomson was impressive until he got injured, and George Whitelock has been solid, but he saved the highest praise for Tanerau Latimer.
"I thought he played really well in the second test against France. It wasn't a flash game against Italy but he still did a pretty good job. So we've got guys who can fill in but hopefully they don't have to play too much because, hopefully, I'll be playing," he added.
Many are hoping McCaw will be the panacea for the ailing national side, but the man who has to carry that expectation was quick to point out there were plenty of others capable of turning a game.
"One guy coming back isn't going to make the difference. We all need to take responsibility to make sure our performance goes up a level."
McCaw is upbeat about the All Blacks' prospects in the Tri-Nations.
They open their campaign against Australia in Auckland on July 18.
"We've got a few things to tweak but I believe we've got the guys there. But we're up against two good teams and have to make sure we get everything right because you don't get any second chances."
