Wellington, Oct 9 NZPA - All Blacks Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina are keeping their fingers crossed rugby will win an International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote for a place in the 2016 Games.

The two players, who both captained the All Blacks in 2009, say they expect all New Zealand's rugby players would be motivated by the potential to play on the world's greatest sporting stage.

Golf and rugby sevens are eyeing the pot of gold at the end of the Olympic rainbow, hoping the International Olympic Committee will admit them to the Games on Friday night (NZtime).

The two candidate sports could return after more than 80 years, with Olympic status guaranteeing them a solid future and millions of dollars in improved TV deals, sponsorship and state funding.

The IOC, meeting in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, will put each of them to a separate vote, with a simple majority enough to see them included in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

McCaw, who has played 76 test matches for the All Blacks and captained the team on 39 occasions, said rugby players the world over would be excited at the prospect of rugby re-joining the Olympic Games.

"Playing for New Zealand and pulling on the All Blacks jersey have been a huge honour in my life.

"As a rugby player, to be able to do that at an Olympic Games would be just huge and something that every rugby player in this country would be motivated by."

Muliaina, who captained the team for three matches in 2009 while McCaw was recovering from injury, made his name on the international stage in sevens rugby.

"I think every player playing today, and all those who are coming through rugby in New Zealand would give their right arm for the chance to play rugby at the Olympic Games," he said.

"I know I have been incredibly blessed with the opportunities I have had, and winning a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester was right up there with my greatest All Blacks memories, so I can only imagine what it would be like to play at the Olympics. It's a great thing to imagine though."

The outcome of the voting is expected to be announced by the IOC late on Friday or early Saturday morning (NZ time).

NZPA