Richard Loe: An opportunity to hook in to

It's a great time to be a young hooker or a front rower because there are places opening up in the All Black environment.

I'd be excited if I was a player on the rise. But that's because when I was on the rise, I couldn't get a go. Every test was played by 'The Geriatrics' front row - John Ashworth, Andy Dalton and Gary Knight. Until the 1986 Cavaliers' tour, no one else got a look in.

After that, Sean Fitzpatrick, myself and Steve McDowell played 36 tests in a row, for 80 minutes. Fitzy and I had 41 tests in a row.

It wouldn't happen these days - but what an incentive for a young player to perform in the next Super Rugby campaign.

Andrew Hore will bow out of the All Blacks and I think Steve Hansen and Co have worked it well moving Dane Coles into things. Coaches and selectors have become smarter the way they bring youngsters through and what they have done with Coles is a great example.

He's had 10 tests this year and hasn't played for 80 minutes in any of them. He's not been given an easy ride but has been introduced to games to finish off a job that Hore and Keven Mealamu have started. It's been working well. Coles did well when he came on against France and England and it was noticeable that it was the replacement England hooker who had the bad day; mis-throwing to a misfiring lineout and helping the All Blacks take control of the test.

Mealamu is contracted for two more years with the Blues and I think, on the basis of his last two tests, he will continue to be a factor. Do I think he will make the All Blacks for the 2015 World Cup? I'm not sure, but I don't think he will be able to play week-in, week-out for 80 minutes. He might be able to play for 60 minutes every second or third game and, the way he has been playing, you wouldn't bet against him making the 2015 squad.

It also depends on how the All Black management bring someone in to do the job Coles has been doing. Coles will likely start playing a fuller role, thanks to the blooding he has had this year.

For me, the likeliest candidates are Rhys Marshall of the Chiefs and Liam Coltman of the Highlanders, though there has been a bit of talk about Brayden Mitchell, the Southlander who was with the Highlanders before he got injured. I don't think there is anyone in the Blues or Crusaders that will do it, though the Cantabs may prove me wrong. Motu Matu'u of the Hurricanes came on to the scene with some big hits but he didn't really come on this year, thanks mostly to injuries.

The younger players have been brought on well, rather than just tossing them in the deep end as used to happen. Even in more modern times, there have been wonderkids who haven't reached their potential but this All Black regime is bringing them on slowly and letting them gain confidence.

At prop, Tony Woodcock is about to come to the end of his career and they will be looking hard at good looseheads. Wyatt Crockett has played 12 tests so far this season, most of them from the bench. He is already 30 - not old for a prop but not a Baby Black either.

They'll obviously look at Joe Moody, the Canterbury boy who was invalided out of the tour and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen - a bit of an apprentice, maybe, but Moody's replacement on tour.

I do not think Ben Afeaki looks likely - he hasn't held down a starting spot with the Chiefs and playing for North Harbour does him no favours - and I think Ben Franks nearing the end.

Brother Owen had a better game against England but has had an indifferent season but I think, at 25, he is well placed to extend his 50-odd tests. Ben Tameifuna has too many kilos to lose and you worry about the top two inches.