After 40 minutes watching flanker Richie McCaw rediscovering his rugby mojo in Wellington on Friday, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has no doubt his captain is ready for the Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Sydney next week.

“I don’t think he’s going to be good enough, I know he’s good enough,” Hansen said.

McCaw played the first 40 minutes in a double-header training match at the Hutt Recreation Ground, fronting up against Canterbury as a mix-and-match All Blacks outfit cantered to a three-try 19-0 win.

He remained on the bench for the second 40 minutes, won 12-7 over Wellington, but Hansen says McCaw did all that was required of him.

“We just wanted him to have a good 40,” Hansen said.

“Energy-wise, he felt pretty good and could have gone on and played more, but just the 40 was enough.”

Since ending his six-month sabbatical, McCaw played in three games last month.

He returned to rugby with renewed zest, playing 80 minutes in a club match then making two appearances off the bench for the Crusaders, including the semi-final loss to the Chiefs two weeks ago.

McCaw himself was just happy to be back out on the field.

“For me, it’s trying to make sure I get up to speed and get the feel of the game again,” he said.

“Fitness-wise, there’s a bit of running there – I certainly burnt a bit, but it wasn’t too bad. The big thing is getting your timing, and I’ll be better for that run-around.”

McCaw says the physicality of both matches would benefit the All Blacks as they ease into the last week of training before the Rugby Championship.

There were a few battered and bruised bodies at the end, with Blues pair Steven Luatua and Francis Saili among those who limped off as the second 40 minutes against Wellington progressed.

“A few guys, myself especially, hadn’t played for a while. We didn’t get too carried away with how we were going to play, it was just a matter of getting some contact and getting through some footy,” McCaw said.