Photos: Who should replace McCaw?KEY POINTS:
The drumbeat is getting louder for Bay of Plenty openside flanker Tanerau Latimer's call-up to the All Blacks to replace injured skipper Richie McCaw.
New Zealand Maori assistant coach Milton Haig today called for 22-year-old Latimer's inclusion in the All Blacks Tri-Nations squad, while Bay of Plenty Steamers
head coach Kevin Schuler, a former All Blacks loose forward, said his provincial captain would be "outstanding" if he got the chance.
A former understudy to McCaw in the Crusaders, Latimer has firmed as the prime candidate to replace the All Blacks' inspirational leader.
McCaw's replacement won't be named until this weekend with Latimer set to become Bay of Plenty's 20th All Black (while playing for the province) if selected.
The All Blacks could play probable new skipper Rodney So'oialo on the openside flank with Adam Thomson on the blind and either Jerome Kaino or Sione Lauaki at No 8, although coach Graham Henry hinted yesterday his preference would be to bring in a specialist No 7.
"We just don't know how fit the specialists are and who could replace him."
The prime contender, Daniel Braid, is troubled by a calf injury that has removed him from NZ Maori selection, so Latimer, dumped All Black Chris Masoe and NZ Maori co-captain Liam Messam are in the frame.
Haig said Latimer stood out as the obvious solution after three big games for NZ Maori in their unbeaten Pacific Nations Cup campaign.
"He's been awesome; his work rate is huge and his tackle rate and quality of his tackling has been right up there with the best.
"Whether or not the All Blacks (selectors) are convinced is a different story but he's more than capable of thriving in that environment."
Haig warned against comparing Latimer's game with McCaw's.
"McCaw is a big loss, and making comparisons is only natural but Tanerau's not Richie McCaw, he's Tanerau Latimer and he's got his own characteristics that would do the All Blacks jersey proud.
"And the reality is that with Daniel Braid injured and Chris Masoe seemingly on the outer he's the only specialist No 7 playing week in, week out."
Two of New Zealand's greatest openside flankers, Michael Jones and Graham Mourie, today plumped for left-field candidates to replace McCaw, with Jones telling the Dominion Post Messam was the obvious successor at openside and Mourie calling for rookie Adam Thomson to be given first crack at No 7.
Schuler, who last week named Latimer as Steamers skipper for the Air NZ Cup, said today a shift for Thomson could signal a call-up for Kieran Read.
"We saw Thomson playing a bit of left and right on Saturday night ... but it would take a quantum shift in terms of the (All Blacks coaches') thinking for that to happen."
Schuler, who played 13 games for the All Blacks between 1989-95, would prefer a specialist at openside.
"Lats, in the Chiefs' (season-ending) internal assessments, was player of the year and players' player of the year and has made huge strides over the past 12 months. Quite clearly he's up to the job."
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES