All Blacks discard Stephen Donald from training camp - Rugby World Cup News
The All Blacks have side-lined the Chiefs’ Stephen Donald from their initial training camp for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks called off a training camp of 25 players from New Zealand’s three Super Rugby derbies that were unable to make their place in the play-off stages. Top players from Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes were considered for their good performances
in the season. However, Donald was unable attract the attention of selectors.
Donald remained unimpressive with his form and fitness throughout the Super Rugby season. After being side lined from the initial training camp, Donald will be very lucky to get a call for final selection. The players from the top two New Zealander Super
Rugby conferences, Crusaders and Blues, were not called to the camp because they are heading towards the play-offs of the championship.
Donald is a seasoned player on the Chiefs’ squad and he has represented the derby in 71 Super Rugby games. He has also the honour of playing 22 tests for the All Blacks and has earned 95 points for his national side.
Along with Donald, two more players from the Chiefs, including Aled de Malmanche and Tanerau Latimer, were unable to make the cut. Meanwhile, Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade were invited into the training camp.
Talking to reporters, the All Blacks coach Graham Henry said that only promising players will be called to the upcoming training camps. He added that, "While the first All Blacks squad for the year won't be named until July 10, these players are in contention
for selection so we were keen to monitor their progress as well as further develop their skills."
Graham also praised the incoming Cruden and said that he has got the skills to represent All Blacks in the forthcoming show piece. He added that, “He's got more length in his kicks out of hand and he's had a high percentage of goalkicking over the last month
or six weeks. He's certainly improved his kicking game.”
The All Blacks will name their initial squad on July 10, whereas the final squad will be announced in the last week of August.
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