Rene Ranger. Photo / Getty Images
Shift over Clark Kent, here comes Rene Ranger.
The late inclusion in the All Black squad this season received the "Superman" tag yesterday from assistant coach Wayne Smith on the eve of his likely test selection.
Smith used the label to describe Ranger and his fitness test results which were
"exceptional".
The All Blacks' assistant coach is a man of great enthusiasm and occasional hyperbole like the "special project" days of Isaia Toeava's introduction to the All Blacks.
But he has obviously been very impressed by Ranger's package of skills since the 23-year-old was drafted into the squad and subbed on for the second test against Wales.
The coaches believe Ranger is a specialist wing whose versatile talents could be broadened to allow him to cover the midfield roles as well. It was hard to predict, said Smith, whether Ranger would be a success at test rugby but he had all the tools to make a go of it.
He was a "superman" in terms of his testing. His fitness, strength and speed were right up there with the best of the country.
"He could go out and tear them apart, potentially, who knows because it [test rugby] does some funny things to people," Smith said.
The testing figures on Ranger did not surprise the selectors as he had shown up well in that area for the last two years.
He is likely to be picked to replace his Blues teammate Joe Rokocoko who was given a slim 10 per cent chance of playing because of a strained hamstring.
That verdict and one on Jimmy Cowan's fitness were to be revealed today as the All Blacks finalise their side before their last major training run.
Cowan has been worried by an abdominal strain he suffered in the first test at Eden Park. If he does not play, local halfback Piri Weepu will start with Alby Mathewson drafted on to the bench.
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