Rugby-All Blacks captain McCaw back training but no date for return

WELLINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has started running and lifting weights again though whether he plays the tail end of the Super Rugby competition was still up in the air.

The 32-year-old loose forward is in the midst of a New Zealand Rugby Union-sanctioned six-month sabbatical from all rugby and will miss next month's three-test series against France as a result.

McCaw had spent some time travelling around North America and Europe during his sabbatical, which is scheduled to finish in late June, in time for the Canterbury Crusaders' final regular season games against the Waikato Chiefs and Wellington Hurricanes.

The six-team playoffs series begins on July 19 with the Super Rugby final on Aug. 3.

"When I'm back playing is still in the air a bit," McCaw was quoted as saying by Fairfax Media on Thursday.

"I'll get these next couple of months training (done), then it will come down to a discussion with (coach) Todd (Blackadder) and what's best for them and what's best for me.

"We'll make the decision going forward."

McCaw had begun running and done a weights session last week but would now look to increase the workload as he builds towards a possible return for the end of the Super Rugby season, though more likely the Rugby Championship tournament involving Australia, South Africa and Argentina that starts on Aug. 17.

"I've got a bit of time to get fit," he added.

"Last week was about getting the dust off. Next week I'll ramp it up a bit. I want to make sure when I'm back playing, I'm in good shape.

"If I get the next couple of months done right, hopefully we'll be in good shape to do what's needed."

McCaw's team mate Kieran Read, who is likely to replace the flanker as All Blacks' captain for the tests against France, has returned from a long-term toe injury for the Crusaders' match against the Auckland Blues on Saturday.

Read suffered a partial tear of ligaments in his toe in the Crusaders' 55-20 victory over the Southern Kings on March 23.

The 27-year-old number eight's return will be welcomed by the Crusaders, who had a bye last week but beat the table-topping ACT Brumbies 30-23 in Canberra on May 5 giving them some impetus into the final part of the season. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Justin Palmer)

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Rugby-All Blacks training squad for France series

May 14 (Reuters) - New Zealand named the following 38 players to participate in two training camps ahead of next month's three-test series against France:

Forwards: Ben Afeaki, Dominic Bird, Sam Cane, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Liam Messam, Steven Luatua, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Brad Shields, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.

Backs: Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Frank Halai, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Ma'a Nonu, TJ Perenara, Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Julian Savea, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Tom Taylor, Piri Weepu. (Compiled by Ian Ransom; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)

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Rugby-All Blacks coach Hansen retained until 2015 World Cup

WELLINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has had his contract extended until after the 2015 rugby World Cup, the New Zealand Rugby Union said on Wednesday.

Hansen, an assistant in the All Blacks setup to Graham Henry from 2004, was appointed as head coach after Henry stepped down following the team's victorious World Cup campaign in 2011.

The former Wales coach was initially given a two-year contract until the end of 2013.

Hansen's All Blacks team avoided a World Cup hangover in 2012. They won 12 games, drew once and lost just one match, against England at Twickenham in their final test of the year.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)

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