The most famous foot in New Zealand is on the mend but Richie McCaw will miss "at least the first few" Super Rugby games.

McCaw was walking with no sign of pain at Crusaders' training yesterday and the All Black skipper said he should be running again next month.

"I've had a few weeks off crutches now and been back doing some cross-training and it seems to be going all right."

He's been spotted at a number of different pools around the South Island doing lengths over the holiday period and has spent plenty of time on the bike.

He's itching to get back, but just when McCaw will return to the field for what will be his 12th Super campaign remains up in the air.

The Crusaders have a bye in the fourth round and McCaw hinted that extra week off might be necessary and that he'd return for the side's week five clash against the Cheetahs at Rugby League Park.

"We'll just have to wait and see," he said. "I'm reluctant to put a time on it but things are progressing how they should."

McCaw was one of several injured returning All Blacks who sat out part of Crusaders training yesterday.

While McCaw and his fellow All Blacks are no doubt still getting pats on the back and the odd free pint from the general public, the second World Cup-winning All Black skipper said the memories of that win had to be shelved within the Crusaders' environment.

"You have to realise that that's done," he said.

"You come back here and there's only half a dozen guys that were involved and every other guy is worried about the Crusaders and this side doing well.

So we have to make sure we're worried about that and not focusing on the past. We have to move on because the teams from South Africa and Australia sure won't care about it."

While the side talked down the impact of having to leave Christchurch for every game last season, following the February 22 earthquake and the damage that caused to AMI Stadium, McCaw said he was rapt to have a home venue sorted for 2012.

He said the side had to ignore it last year because they had no choice, but doubted even his side could have done it again.

"I don't think you could do it two years in a row and it's nice to know we're going to have games at home."

McCaw was joined on the sidelines yesterday by Zac Guildford, Corey Flynn and Israel Dagg who were all on limited workloads but Crudasers coach Todd Blackadder said none were major concerns.

- © Fairfax NZ News