UPDATE 1-Rugby-NZ's McCaw bracketed to return against Australia

(Adds quotes, byline)

By Adrian Bathgate

WELLINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) - New Zealand rugby captain Richie McCaw has been surprisingly named to make a possible return from an ankle injury in the All Blacks' Tri-Nations rugby test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

McCaw, who injured his ankle against England last month and was expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks, has been bracketed with Daniel Braid in one of five changes to the starting team who lost 30-28 to South Africa on July 12.

The openside flanker had a 50/50 chance of playing, with a final decision dependant on how his ankle progresses this week, All Blacks coach Graham Henry told reporters in Wellington.

"Richie's just desperate to play for the All Blacks," Henry said, adding McCaw would make the final decision on his ability to play.

McCaw returned to training on Monday, with local media reporting he had trained at full pace with no signs of the ankle injury affecting him.

The inclusion of McCaw or Braid as a specialist openside flanker has forced a reshuffle of Henry's loose forward combination, with Rodney So'oialo shifting to blindside flanker in place of Adam Thomson. Jerome Kaino remains at number eight.

Brad Thorn returns from suspension to start at lock, while veteran prop Greg Somerville returns to the front row, relegating John Afoa to the bench.