Richard Loe: In a front-rower's squad, Crockett a lock at prop

There's no getting away from it - Mils Muliaina has to be the next All Black captain and I'd select three new All Blacks in the 26-man squad Graham Henry is announcing this morning.

Mr Henry won't take any notice of your humble columnist but we know the view from the front row is the only correct one - and I'd promote Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, Chiefs loosie Tanerau Latimer and Crusaders lock Isaac Ross.

The key, of course, is Richie McCaw's absence for the June tests - leading to Latimer's inclusion. He has come on well in successive seasons and particularly this year.

I am also a fan of the Highlanders' Adam Thomson and he plays much more like a ball-fetching 7 than he does a 6. I think he could back Latimer up or even start ahead of him in the two tests against France and Italy.

The other loose forwards would be Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo and Kieran Read - the latter because he has such a big engine and can cover 6 and 8.

It's hard on Liam Messam of the Chiefs but I think Thomson does more work over the ball and I think Read does a little more around the field right now.

So'oialo hasn't been playing too well but the lucky one is Kaino who hasn't been playing well but has good miles on the clock.

Generally, however, I am a big fan of selecting on form. That's why Kevin O'Neill will be the fourth lock along with Brad Thorn and Ross - and what a good time to select the latter.

All right, he might be a bit loose but they will have time with him and we all said Ali Williams was a bit loose when he first came along and he turned into not a bad lock.

So this squad has been selected with the likelihood that Williams and injured halfback Brendon Leonard will be there, even if they don't play in the first test or two. That's why I have four locks and three halfbacks and 15 forwards, 11 backs.

Crockett demands selection after some good years in Super 14 and he went great guns against the Bulls in Pretoria. If you're wondering where Jamie Mackintosh is - nice guy, good player but he hasn't been performing. He was off for the early weeks of the Super 14 and, when he came back, every prop he propped against seemed to be weeks ahead of him in fitness and technique.

Some who have seen my consistent criticism of Neemia Tialata might raise their eyebrows but we don't have many good tighthead props at the moment. He has been playing out 80 minutes, even if he hasn't been doing that much.

At hooker, Aled de Malmanche is the form player and could be a bolter but I reckon they will go for Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu for seniority and leadership.

If it's a bolter you're looking for, it could be Alby Mathewson at halfback. If they select Leonard, there may not be room and Weepu will be cover for Stephen Donald at No 10. However, I think Piri Weepu and Jimmy Cowan are very much alike and Mathewson offers something different, a little sharper, maybe.

The rest of the backs pretty much select themselves. I wouldn't have Lelia Masaga just yet - he's like the kitchen sink taps ... hot and cold. Some may protest at no room for Isaia Toeava. Henry and co may well select him - they hold him in high regard - but I wouldn't.

To me, he was tarnished by the Blues this season. Good going forward and it's all very well attacking but what happens if the opposition score more tries than you? That's what happened to the Blues this year and that affects not only teams but individuals.

Richard Loe's All Black squad - Forwards: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu; Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Wyatt Crockett; Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Kevin O'Neill, Isaac Ross; Tanerau Latimer, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Rodney So'oialo.

Backs: Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard; Stephen Donald; Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui; Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf; Mils Muliaina (captain), Cory Jane.