All Blacks: McCaw has a challenge on his hands - Henry

Richie McCaw will play his 101st test on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

All Black coach Graham Henry says captain Richie McCaw has a "big mental challenge" in dealing with his constant foot injury for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup.

McCaw was today named to play in Sunday's quarter-final against Argentina but has been forced to limit his training ahead of the clash due to the persistent foot problem.

McCaw's season has been hampered since he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot in February. He had surgery and missed the first seven games of the Super 15 season.

He also missed the side's second pool match Japan due to a calf strain before being a late withdrawal from their final game against Japan.

Assistant coach Steve Hansen confirmed yesterday that McCaw has been unable to take part in "physical, hard, body-contact stuff" at training.

Henry told media today that McCaw will have to deal with the on-going issue of not having a normal preparation ahead of each match.

"I think Richie has got a challenge on. He hasn't played for a while and he's not preparing as he normally does, so it's going to be a big mental challenge for him," Henry said.

"It's niggly and he's looking after it as best he can. He will play on the weekend. It's just an ongoing thing really. He's got to do what he can do during the week to perform at the weekend. He's controlling himself very well I think."

Henry said he wasn't sure if the injury was getting worse and it was a waiting game for the All Blacks' skipper.

"I don't know. I'll tell you after Sunday. He hasn't played a couple of weeks. It's just that he runs on it and feels good and wakes up the next day and it's niggly again.

"So hopefully we've got three games ahead of us and it's just a matter of trying to make sure he's available for each of those three games. He's got to tailor what he does running-wise to be able to handle that eventuality.

"He's a pretty experienced sort of rugby player. He'll do what he thinks is best to make sure he can play well on Sunday."

With McCaw returning to the lineup the All Blacks will have their top loose-forward trio for Sunday's match at Eden Park but they still face some challenges Henry said.

"Jerome Kaino is playing the rugby of his life at the moment and Kieran Read has played 50 minutes in six weeks so there are a few challenges for them but they have a lot of experience together and are a world-class unit when they are right."

The injury issues are not just restricted to the skipper. Henry also confirmed today fellow loose-forward Adam Thomson was unavailable for selection due to injury along with utility backs Israel Dagg (thigh haematoma) and Richard Kahui (hamstring).

Wing Zac Guildford was ruled out of Sunday's the must-win game yesterday due to a hamstring injury while Dan Carter withdrew with the tournament after a groin tear on Friday.

- HERALD ONLINE/APNZ