Wynne Gray: Ryan may prove the discovery of season

It was not that long ago we heard the All Black selectors explain a tour to Europe was not the place to blood any young locks.

Even with the absences of Keith Robinson, Simon Maling and Brad Thorn, the selectors were not going to be tempted.

There were not enough youngsters up to standard for matches against Italy, Wales, France and the Barbarians - Brad Kennedy, Sean Hohneck and co were not ready.

Instead they grabbed the degenerating frame of Norm Maxwell, after his year in exile, and utility Jono Gibbes to go with Chris Jack and Ali Williams.

And they reinforced that policy when they called up the seasoned Reuben Thorne as a replacement when Gibbes damaged his calf.

Barely six months later, James Ryan has been included in the All Black squad as one of the locks with Jack and Williams for what shapes as a remorselessly physical test series against the Lions.

Gibbes is with the squad but only as cover for an injured Mose Tuiali'i while Kennedy, Kevin O'Neill and Bernie Upton are the locks for the Junior All Blacks.

The selectors do not pick on whim or fancy. They research and plan their choices in great detail. They know the players far better than any of us, they have analysed them, they carry extensive data on them and have imagined their abilities next to the game plan.

Ryan is an exceptional tight forward talent, perhaps the discovery of the season.

An NZ Colt last year, the 22-year-old had a strong NPC debut, a combative Super 12 and test debut last week against Fiji.

"He has performed at a level that we couldn't leave him out really," coach Graham Henry said.

It had been a conclusive decision. Ryan was young but he was athletic, understood the game the All Blacks were developing and would learn a great deal over the next few years.

It is a bold selection and already Ryan impresses as someone who can overtake the flighty Williams. And given his inclusion on last year's tour of Europe, strong work during the Super 12 and a history of holding together some unfashionable sides, Gibbes seemed to offer the leadership and mental strength the All Blacks need.

His exclusion, like that of Holah, was decided before their magnificent contributions in the Maori win against the Lions. A 14 forwards 12 backs split counted against them. Those more fortunate were Mose Tuiali'i and Sione Lauaki.

Within the enlarged back division it seems the selectors are leaning more towards Leon MacDonald at fullback and Mils Muliaina at centre.

That would offer a stronger kicking game from fullback, a robust defence, an alternate kicking option to Daniel Carter at set piece and the goalkicking cover.

Muliaina's pace, prowess on defence and ability to feed support players under pressure would then get greater use. Such a switch would be a gamble which has not been tested a great deal this season.

Muliaina swapped positions with Ben Atiga in one NPC game for Auckland before last year's All Black tour before the panel decided he would be the solitary fullback. Subsequently Muliaina played centre in a couple of Super 12 matches for the Blues.

Forced by injury into second five-eighths for half the test against Fiji, Muliaina showed his versatile class.

In the forwards, time is closing in on Anton Oliver's race to repair his torn calf muscle. If the experienced hooker has not recovered fully for the first test, there must be a high chance that the bulky but mobile Derren Witcombe will start instead.