World Cup the target, says red-hot rookie Ryan
Traditionalists in New Zealand claim Henry has gone too far by deciding to rotate his players on the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.
But rookie Ryan, who burst onto the senior circuit after winning World Cups at under 19, university and under 21 levels, has a message for the critics: “We know what Graham is trying to do; that’s to create a situation where the squad is strong enough to win the World Cup. Everything is geared to that, everything is geared to allowing us young guys gain with that goal in mind,” he said.
“Maybe, if there is a bit of resistance from certain elements of the public to this fast-tracking, it’s because they can’t readily identify with the younger guys coming through because they haven’t been in the limelight at all or for that long.
“But I think you have to look at guys like John Kirwan and Jonah
Lomu, both of whom were introduced at a very young age. I think they proved that the decisions in relation to them were the right ones.
“The other thing is that you can’t expect players to go out week after week and play to the same level of intensity. Graham insists that it is too demanding physically to play Test matches one after the other. That means there has to be a strong squad with players who have the required experience to slot in when needed.
“I believe it’s a much more healthy environment when you have good players all fighting for recognition. Training is sharper and you tend to go the extra mile in games as well.
“It’s human nature to sit back and relax if you find yourself in a situation where selection is guaranteed. I just think it’s better from every point of view to have a couple or more guys fighting out for that recognition.
“I don’t think there can be any such thing as devaluing the jersey just because the coaches decide to bring young guys through the system and give them an opportunity. If anything, it’s building for the future to ensure New Zealand become stronger and stronger. I think that’s a very positive thing,” he said.
With a name like Ryan, there’s obviously an Irish background.
His ancestors are from Tipperary although he hasn’t much of a clue from what part: “I won’t have time to investigate this time around, but I do intend to come back to Ireland some time in the future and check out the scene.”
Ryan was originally more interested in cricket than rugby. “That was the biggest sport in our family although two of my uncles played a bit of rugby at university and for Canterbury.”
Otago gave him his first break in the New Zealand NPC. Canterbury moved in on foot of some top displays and his big break came in the Super 12 last season. “I started in every game and that helped set me up for a place on this tour,” he said.
Ryan played in the under 21 World Cup final last year when the All Blacks defeated surprise finalists Ireland.
He has fond memories particularly because his side had to earn the win.
“I think Ireland had a really good forward pack and I remember the guy Jamie Heaslip who I thought was sensational throughout the tournament, and in the final.
“I suppose Ireland surprised everyone by getting that far, but they deserved it and I have no hesitation in saying that it was physically the toughest game we had in the tournament. There was no stroke of luck about it; they were better than South Africa or Australia, so I think that’s a fair tribute.”
This week’s game, he reckons, will be tougher than the Wales Test: “Ireland will have had time to do their homework. They will have scrutinised every move we made in Cardiff, so it’s bound to be harder, although in one sense it’s better for us to have a game under our belts.”
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