"It was a big decision for him. He was happy to get a few splinters on the bench and work hard while competing with a couple of All Black locks for game time," Bird said referring to Luke Romano and Sam Whitelock.
The rugged Central Hawke's Bay logging truck driver, who coached his son in Central Hawke's Bay College 1st XV as well as Hawke's Bay under-18 and under-20 teams, pointed out "it's exciting times" for Dominic.
"If he does everything right there is a good chance he will be in the 2015 World Cup team. He will be 25 by then and firing."
Bird pointed out his son is one of eight members of the 2011 New Zealand under-20 World Cup-winning team named in the 38-strong squad.
"It shows what a good job the Crusaders have done with Dom. In 2010 he had Chris Jack as his mentor and in 2011 he had Brad Thorn. They were two of the best world-class locks around ... there was nobody better for Dom to learn from," Bird said.
He believed the competition between Romano, Whitelock and his son and brought out the best in all three.
"Romano is playing some fantastic rugby and Whitelock has cranked his game up.
"I have debriefs with Dom after each of his games. We always speak the truth to one another. He was so focused on going further than his old man ... he's certainly done that," Bird said.
His Crusaders teammate, fullback Israel Dagg and Hurricanes prop Ben Franks are the only Magpies named in the squad. Former Magpie Brodie Retallick, who was a locking partner of Bird's son at the 2011 Under-20 World Cup, has predictably been named.
Retallick's Chiefs teammates and former Magpies hooker Hika Elliot and prop Ben Tameifuna have yet to produce form in this season's Super Rugby to warrant selection. However, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said yesterday players not picked in the squad could still be selected for the June tests against France.
"If you're not in the 38, don't believe that you can't make the squad," Hansen said. "And we showed that last year when we picked people who didn't come to the camp."
Centre Tamati Ellison, leaving for Japan after the Super Rugby competition, could be one of those picked to meet France but won't be required at the camps, Hansen said.
Hansen will announce his squad for the three-test series against France on June 2 - ahead of the first test at Eden Park on June 9.
Hansen also said he expected Richie McCaw to return to the field in some capacity ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Wider training squad
Blues: Frank Halai, Steven Luatua, Keven Mealamu, Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Piri Weepu and Ali Williams.
Chiefs: Ben Afeaki, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam and Brodie Retallick.
Hurricanes: Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Ben Franks, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Victor Vito.
Crusaders: Dominic Bird, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Tom Taylor and Samuel Whitelock.
Highlanders: Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Tony Woodcock.
