Wellington: Flyhalf Stephen Donald has been left out of an All Blacks training camp for players not involved in the Super rugby playoffs yesterday, a major blow to his hopes of making New Zealand's World Cup squad.
Donald, 27, has won 22 test caps since his All Blacks debut against England in 2008 and was expected to be in the running to make the squad for the tournament as back-up to Dan Carter.
"We just think other people are playing better right now," All Blacks coach Graham Henry told local media.
"I talked to him about that yesterday and unless we have injuries, he's not likely to be involved."
In addition to 22 players from Donald's Waikato Chiefs, the Wellington Hurricanes and Otago Highlanders, injured All Blacks Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock will take part in the Wellington camp next week.
Flyhalfs Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade are included, while Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister, who have also stood in for Carter, are still involved in the Auckland Blues' playoff campaign.
Former All Black great John Kirwan, currently head coach of Japan's national side, expressed surprise at the decision to snub Donald.
"I know he recently signed to go overseas [to England's Bath] so they might be saying if he's not staying around we'll take someone else," Kirwan told Reuters.
"I'm a little bit surprised. I'd probably need three standoffs so they must be looking at Stephen Brett and [Luke] McAlister and [Aaron] Cruden.
Tough calls
"It's a tough call. You've got to make them. It's hard but you've got to make those calls for the World Cup.
"To be honest I thought he was number two recently so Cruden and the other guys must have been playing a lot better."
A second camp will take place, also in Wellington, the following week.
"The camps are a key part of our preparation for the season and will give us a great opportunity to assess where a number of players are at after a demanding ... Super rugby season," Henry added in a news release.
"While the first All Blacks squad for the year won't be named until July the 10th, these players are in contention for selection so we were keen to monitor their progress as well as further develop their skills."
