The 32-year-old says he's refreshed from his prolonged seven-month break and, after 12 weeks of training, is "itching" to get back on the field in time for the Crusaders' first playoff game.
Speaking at a media huddle today, McCaw said he had no qualms about playing under current Crusaders captain, and fellow All Black star, Kieran Read, who he confirmed would remain as captain for the rest of the Super Rugby season.
"If there's a possibility of playing, it'll be just purely that."
First, McCaw has to come through a rare game for his club side Christchurch, having not played for them since 2009.
He'll likely start at openside flanker against University at Christchurch Park in the Canterbury Metro competition on Saturday.
"If Saturday goes well you can put your name in the hat for next week," McCaw said after completing a training run with the Crusaders at Rugby Park today.
"But then that becomes up to Todd (coach, Blackadder), what's right for the team, and obviously that's the most important thing, But there is a possibility (of being selected)."
Blackadder said McCaw is experienced enough to be able to tell him if he thinks he's ready for the rigours of Super Rugby.
But "he needs to get a game under his belt," Blackadder said today.
"If he feels he's a little under-done, then probably the best thing for him is to have another game of club rugby."
The 116-test veteran hasn't played since the All Blacks' loss to England at Twickenham last December.
During his sabbatical, he travelled extensively and regained his enthusiasm for the sport, he said.
He has no regrets about taking such a long break from the game.
"No regrets at all because I'm excited about getting back into it, and that's the way it should be," he said.
"My biggest fear was it would get to the point I'd stop enjoying it, and it would start getting on top of me a bit.
"So, having the break has sort of refreshed me and made me realise why you play the game, because you enjoy it, and I'm lucky to hopefully have a bit more time to do that."
McCaw said he hasn't given thought to how many minutes he'll play on Saturday, but hopes Christchurch coach, former Crusader and teammate Matt Mustchin, will let him play the full 80 minutes.
"I'll play as long as I can ... but I'm sure if I run out of legs (I'll) have a break," he said.
"I've been starting to get itchy feet, which is good."
A long pre-season, which culminated with a club rugby match, was always part of his planned return to top-level football, McCaw said.
The Christchurch club is full of "pretty good blokes" and it looked after McCaw when he first came to Christchurch, so he said he was looking forward to paying them back by getting on the field.
A big crowd is expected at the game, and extra security has been put on by the club.
Asked if he was worried about getting any special attention from University players or taking a cheap shot, the All Black skipper said: "No, no. It'll be no different than any other game to be quite honest. I'm really looking forward to it."
While he admitted being on the sidelines and watching the Crusaders from afar has been tough, he hoped that last week's resounding victory over the Chiefs signalled a return to winning ways for the famed franchise.
