The All Blacks career of Chiefs five-eighth Stephen Donald appears at an end after he missed selection in a 25-strong training squad named on Wednesday, but for Colin Slade the news was more palatable.

Highlanders pivot Slade, who has not played since breaking his jaw for the second time this season on April 15, and Aaron Cruden have been preferred to Donald as potential back-ups to All Blacks No.10 Daniel Carter.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry told reporters on Tuesday Donald's form did not warrant selection in the squad for the first of two training camps which features players not involved in the Super 15 playoffs.

"We just think other people are playing better right now and unless we have injury he's unlikely to be involved," said Henry.

Donald, who has played 22 Tests for the All Blacks, is set to join English premiership club Bath at the end of the season.

While the 27-year-old may have played his last game in black, one Test Slade has been given a vote of confidence by the selectors despite his lack of game time this season.

He makes his return to rugby this weekend in a club rugby match before he plays in Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield defence against North Otago the following week.

"I've got to hit the ground running when I do get out on the field. I'm obviously in a position where I can't take too much time to get into the swing of things," the 23-year-old told TVNZ.

His main competition appears to be from Cruden, whose late season improvement in form has seen the Hurricanes' five-eighth rewarded by the selectors.

"I think he's shown a lot of guts, he had an indifferent start to the year and he's got better and better so I think it shows he's got the heart for it, he's got the courage for it," Henry said.

"He's also improved his kicking game, his kicking out of the hand has got a lot more length and he has a high percentage goal-kicking in the last six weeks."

Other notable inclusions in the squad are the uncapped Chiefs prop Ben Afeaki and Highlanders lock/blindside flanker Jarrad Hoeata while the Hurricanes pair of Andrew Hore and Ma'a Nonu, unwanted by the franchise, are also included.

The first two-day camp will be held in Wellington next week with a second held on July 5-6. The first All Blacks squad for the season will be named on July 10.

The players invited to the first camp next week:

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.

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