Richie McCaw on bench for Super Rugby quarterfinal

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will make an earlier than expected return to top rugby after being named on the Crusaders' bench for Saturday's Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Queensland Reds.

McCaw has not played a professional match since the All Blacks were beaten by England at Twickenham in December. He played in an amateur club match last weekend and had been expected to return to top rugby from an eight-month sabbatical in New Zealand's Rugby Championships test against Australia on Aug. 17.

McCaw had ruled out playing in this season's Super Rugby competition but has been hurried back because the Christchurch-based Crusaders are trying to end a five-year title drought.