Richie McCaw should start for the Crusaders in their semi-final against the Sharks in Christchurch on Saturday.

McCaw, who has not played since fracturing a rib while captaining the All Blacks against England last month, took part in the Crusaders' training session on Monday.

Assistant coach Tabai Matson said the 33-year-old only needed to emerge unscathed from training over the next two days to confirm his place in the side.

'We have learned in the past that it is fine to be available to play, but we need people who are ready to go and be 100 miles an hour and not kind of building into the game,' Matson stated. 'It will really be determined by how he feels over the next 24 to 48 hours.'

With Matt Todd in good form at openside flank, McCaw is expected to start on the blindside and force Jordan Taufua to the bench.

The Crusaders are eager to gain revenge for the 30-25 loss they suffered to the 14-man Sharks in Christchurch in May.

'Absolutely we are really keen to have another crack at them,' said back-up scrumhalf Willi Heinz. 'We were very disappointed with the way we played against them last time.

'It's never nice losing at home, but that was one we definitely felt we let slip, just by the way we played. We are certainly looking forward to making things right on Saturday night.'

Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty Images