Better players than Donald - Henry

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has all but ended Chiefs first five-eighth Stephen Donald's hopes of playing at the Rugby World Cup.

The All Black selectors today have given a glimpse of their preferences for this year by naming a group of players for the first of two training camps ahead of the Tri-Nations.

Twenty-five players have been named for a two-day camp in Wellington next week.

Donald, who has played 22 tests for the All Blacks, isn't among the players in the list which includes fellow no.10s Colin Slade and Aaron Cruden.

Henry told media today that he broke the news to Donald yesterday and said form was a factor.

"Difficult obviously because he's been a very positive member of that group for some time. He's a great guy to have in the team. Hugely well organised at training. We just think there are other people playing better right now.

Article continues below

"Unless we have injuries he's unlikely to be involved."

Those named are from Super 15 teams who did not qualify for the finals playoffs, meaning Crusaders and Blues personnel are missing.

Other former All Blacks who are not in the squad are Highlanders prop Jamie Mackintosh and Chiefs trio Tanerau Latimer, Mike Delany and Lelia Masaga.

Mackintosh played one test for the All Blacks on the 2008 Grand Slam tour. Delany has also played one test, against Italy in 2009, while Latimer made five test appearances in 2009.

Masaga played his one test against Italy in 2009.

The second camp is to be held in Wellington on July 5-6.

The first All Blacks squad for the season are to be named on July 10.

Henry said the camps gave the selectors the chance to assess where candidates were at following their respective teams' participation in the Super 15.

"... these players are in contention for selection so we were keen to monitor their progress as well as further develop their skills," he said.

New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens, who recently led his side to their ninth world series title, is to conduct a training run on the second day of next week's camp.

Injured trio Israel Dagg, Tony Woodcock and Isaia Toeava have been named to attend that camp, with Henry explaining that gave All Blacks medical staff the chance to assess those with injuries.

The players invited to the first camp next week are as follows:

Chiefs: Ben Afeaki, Hikawera Elliot, Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Hurricanes: Aaron Cruden, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito and Piri Weepu.

Highlanders: Jimmy Cowan, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, Colin Slade, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.

Injured players: Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock.

- NZPA/HERALD ONLINE