The Crusaders and All Blacks rugby was given a boost when Richie McCaw returned for training with his Crusaders team mates.

The All Black captain suffered a stress fracture on his right foot before the start of the Super Rugby season.

McCaw has been running on his foot for the last two weeks but Monday was the first time that he ran with the rest of the team.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said he will not rush McCaw back into rugby and said that his captain would not face the Bulls this weekend.

The Crusaders host the Bulls in Nelson at 7.35pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile on Friday at 6:35pm the Highlanders host the Cheetahs in Dunedin.