Former All Blacks rugby enforcer Jerry Collins would have missed out on selection for the upcoming Tests against Ireland and England, according to head coach Graham Henry.

Collins on Monday announced his retirement from the sport in New Zealand.

Despite being warmly praised for a decade of sterling service it emerged on Tuesday the 48-Test veteran would not have featured in Henry's 26-man squad to be named in Christchurch on Sunday.

Henry said the 27-year-old's form for the Hurricanes did not warrant his inclusion in the squad to prepare for a one-off Test against Ireland in Wellington on June 7 and two subsequent Tests after World Cup runners-up England.

Henry agreed with Collins' decision to seek a release from his New Zealand Rugby Union contract a year before it expired in order to take a break from the game.

Collins is expected to ultimately join the exodus to Europe although he insists he currently has no firm plans.

Although a mainstay of the All Blacks in recent years, Henry admitted Collins had initially been overtaken by Crusaders loose forward Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino of the Blues.

"I think it's the correct decision (for Collins to retire)," Henry told Radio Sport Monday.

"He wouldn't have got in the All Blacks in this first selection anyway.

"His form had wavered and he'd be the first to agree with that.

"I talked to him two weeks ago and said to him that it (blindside) was a very competitive position and that other guys were playing better than he was at the time.

"We watched him play against the Blues for the Hurricanes and the semi-final against the Crusaders last weekend and things didn't change a great deal in that respect.

"He was battling to make the side but I don't think that was part of his decision. I think he made the decision to move on some time ago."

Kaino is among a 25-man training group who met in Auckland on Tuesday while Otago loose forward Adam Thompson has also been included after a strong campaign with the battling Highlanders.

Read is sure to come into calculations providing he emerges from the Super 14 final against the Waratahs on Saturday unscathed.

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