Richie McCaw says he would vacate the All Blacks' No 7 jersey if it was for the betterment of the men in black.

The inspirational All Black captain will have to sit out at least the side's first three tests of the season after being felled by his second knee injury of 2009.

Veteran fullback Mils Muliaina has taken on the mantle of captaincy.

One-season international Adam Thomson and uncapped Chiefs player Tanerau will battle it out for the No 7 spot in McCaw's absence during the Iveco Series tests against France and Italy.

All Black top-brass trialled a left-right flanker system last year, with Thomson and McCaw alternating in the 2008 early-season tests.

At the time forwards coach Steve Hansen said the move was in a bid to help provide some relief for McCaw who copes a hammering due to his outstanding play at the breakdown.

The issue has again provided debate following McCaw's latest sidelining, with the player himself saying it was something he might consider.

"I am prepared to do anything to help the team," McCaw said.

"If the coaches decide that that is what they want to do, then I am happy to do that.

"But I haven't sort of thought about that.

"As long as I can be effective at openside, that is my position, that is what I enjoy. That is where my focus is.

"But if ever there was a time to do that, I would be more than happy to look at it."

McCaw has joined the Iveco Series squad in Auckland for their three-day training camp, which will break up on Friday afternoon.

On Wednesday he spoke to Muliaina about the All Blacks' captaincy.

He has also been on hand as a mentor to both Thomson and Latimer in terms of their openside flanker play.

He will also be around the All Blacks during the upcoming test programme.

McCaw said he was looking on the bright side in terms of his latest sidelining.

"I handled it during the Super 14 not too bad," he said.

"I guess I was looking forward to starting a campaign where I was ready to go. It is not quite like that (now).

"But if you let it get you down, then you are not going to do any good.

"I have got this time to get me right. Hopefully after a few weeks get back running and fit again and there is still plenty of the season left.

"That is the way you have to look at it, with a positive attitude."

He said he wasn't concerned about his spate of injuries so far in 2009, putting them down to bad luck.

As well as the two knee injuries, McCaw was also sidelined during the Rebel Sport Super 14 with a concussion.

"I have been pretty lucky over my whole career, I haven't had a knee injury," he said.

"So it has just happened that I have had two in a close space of time.

"With those things you just have to make sure we get them right. We have good people looking after us, so when I get back on the field hopefully I will be fine."