Lomax (22) has played just the one test - against Japan in the land of the rising sun last year - where the All Blacks gave test debuts to eight players. But of those eight, only two - Lomax and winger George Bridge - have been named in the squad for the foundation day.
Loose forward and former Highlander Gareth Evans has missed out, although he has been injured with a sore calf. Centre Matt Proctor, first five-eighth Brett Cameron, loose forward Dalton Papali'i, halfback Mitch Drummond and Highlanders loose forward Dillon Hunt have all failed to make the cut. Others to miss out are lock Luke Romano and hooker Asafo Aumua.
Blues No 8 Akira Ioane, who did not make the All Black squad at the end of last year, has been picked in the squad. Sam Cane had been included and is set to get back into contact work this week as he progresses back from a serious neck injury.
All up there are nine Highlanders players selected, including injured backs Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo and dinged loose forward Liam Squire, who is out with a knee injury.
Lomax has impressed for the Highlanders this year with his scrummaging and increased mobility. There are five tighthead props attending the camp.
There will be two other foundation days - one for North Island-based players in Auckland on May 20 and one for South Island-based players in Christchurch on June 3. The Highlanders will be coming off a bye when players gather in Christchurch.
NZR head of high performance Mike Anthony said the timing of the foundation days had been agreed at last year's meeting between Super Rugby coaches and All Blacks management.
"Given the All Blacks have an incredibly short lead-in time to the upcoming international season, culminating in the Rugby World Cup, and with there being no camps during the Super Rugby season, the foundation days will provide an opportunity for All Blacks management and our leading players to start building towards what is a huge year ahead," Anthony said.
All Blacks
Foundation day squad
Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Jackson Hemopo, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith.