McCaw keen to end contract uncertainty

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw expects to sign a new contract with the New Zealand and Canterbury unions before the end of the World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew admitted McCaw had yet to renew his ties to the All Blacks and Crusaders, and was unsure if he would before next month’s Super 14 deadline.

But the influential openside, who has 12 months left on his existing deal, downplayed fears of joining team-mates Chris Jack, Aaron Mauger, Carl Hayman and Luke McAlister overseas.

“Hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will be sorted out,” he said. “Ideally it would have been done before now but I have people back home to keep an eye on that.”

However, the 26-year-old is expected to leave before the 2011 World Cup on home soil.