'Part of you would like to be out there' - McCaw gives verdict on Crusaders

Former All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw says his new watching brief is difficult at times, but gave coach Scott Robertson his thoughts on what the Crusaders must do to win their Super Rugby semi-final against the Hurricanes.

The defending champions put themselves under unnecessary pressure in their last-eight clash against the Sharks before clinching an ultimately comfortable 40-10 victory in Christchurch.

Former Crusaders captain McCaw won four Super Rugby titles with the franchise and offered his former team-mate Robertson some advice ahead of Saturday's meeting at AMI Stadium.

"I was just talking about it to Razor [Robertson]. It's the little mistakes, back-to-back mistakes or penalties allowing the momentum to go against you, it can just be one or two things like that," McCaw told 1 News.

"You can go from being on the front foot to all of a sudden with the guys that the Hurricanes have got, they are good enough to build that pressure and all of sudden it can cost you seven points.

"It will be just those little opportunities."

New Zealand's most-capped player McCaw, who turns 38 this year, admits he misses taking part in play-off matches but is trying to enjoy simply being a spectator.

"I was sitting in the stands last week and you sort of remember back to the times that you were lucky enough to do that," he said.

"There is a little bit that sits there, but you get past that. I am just really enjoying seeing the guys carrying on keeping the Crusaders at the top of the list.

"That is pretty cool to watch, but part of you would like to be out there, but you know can't do that anymore, just got to try and enjoy it like everybody else."