New Zealand captain Richie McCaw has emerged unscathed from his club rugby outing for Christchurch.

McCaw, who has not played since injuring his knee in the Crusaders' Super 14 semi-final against the Bulls in May, lasted about 50 minutes before being replaced in his first game for the club since 2001.

His team, unbeaten this season, eventually defeated Lincoln University 40-13.

But of greater importance with Australia looming at Eden Park next weekend in the Tri-Nations was McCaw's clean bill of health.

"The knee was really, really good. It was just the lungs that were feeling it," the All Blacks skipper told reporters.

"I got a bit of contact. I got the ball in hand a wee bit, made a few tackles. That was what I was after.

"It was nice to have a hit-out going into next weekend and good to have a run with the boys."

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen was an interested spectator and was satisfied with what he saw.

"What he did do, he did well," Hansen said. "He cleaned out well over the ball and his link play was good.

"He'll be happy with what he did today and we can go into next week with some confidence."

Rodney So'oialo, who has not played since the Super 14 semi-finals because of a neck problem, also came through 80 minutes with his Wellington club, Wests Roosters.

The news was not so encouraging for fly-half Luke McAlister though. He was forced out of club action for the second weekend in a row because of a sore back.

With Stephen Donald struggling to recover from a hamstring strain, All Blacks coach Graham Henry faces a choice between starting scrum-half Piri Weepu in the number 10 jersey against the Wallabies or handing Stephen Brett his debut.