Woman denies 'axe to grind' with former All Black

Rene Ranger's lawyer said he was at the pub after playing rugby and that he pushed Jason Dick to the ground but did not punch him. Photo / APN

A woman who says Blues player and former All Black Rene Ranger threatened to "smash" a man outside a Northland pub has denied having an axe to grind with the rugby player.

Ranger, 25, is on trial in Whangarei District Court charged with injuring with intent after man was bashed outside Mangawhai Tavern on August 1, 2009.

Natasha Sosich told the court yesterday she was outside the pub at the time of the incident and said she had to get between Ranger and the victim after he threatened to "smash" him.

Jason Dick, 28, lost two front teeth, needed stitches to his forehead and ripped tendons in his kneecap in the assault.

This morning under cross-examination from Ranger's lawyer, Arthur Fairley, Ms Sosich was questioned about her links with Ranger.

Though she denied knowing him well, she admitted she may have seen him while "out clubbing" in Whangarei.

Mr Fairley asked whether she was a "vindictive" woman who fabricated her version of events on the night of the alleged assault, after being rejected by Ranger previously.

"You deny that you have expressed in any way shape or form that you had a sexual interest in Mr Ranger?"

"Definitely," she replied.

Mr Fairley said Ms Sosich told her flatmate that Ranger would never be an All Black and that he would "go down".

He said that on the night of the alleged assault, Ms Sosich had an "axe to grind" with Ranger.

He said Ms Sosich had fabricated her own version of events that night to get back at Ranger.

"I'm putting to you that the stuff you were telling the jury....you made that up," Mr Fairley said.

The trial continues.