Rugby: Rene Ranger to join Barbarians

Taniwha Rene Ranger is one of seven former All Blacks who will appear for the Barbarians in June and in keeping with Baabaa tradition will wear his home club's socks.

Ranger will be joined by Carl Hayman, John Afoa, Ali Williams, Jimmy Cowan, Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu when the Barbarians take on England at Twickenham.

Now playing for Montpellier, Ranger has continued to be his usual barnstorming self for the French side - with various highlights packages on the internet showing Ranger causing havoc, meaning the Northlander hasn't changed.

The former Blues centre, who has been playing mainly on the wing for Montpellier, will also play alongside Australian stars James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau.

The match against England will be played a day after the Aviva Premiership final, meaning regular England internationals are unlikely to feature in the match.

Two weeks ago, All Blacks sports psychologist Gilbert Enoka said while in Whangarei for a Harcourts function that he thought Ranger had made a mature move in moving to France. Enoka noted that Ranger was a special type of All Black, but had been forced into a difficult scenario where he chose family over the jersey - something he felt was a mature move in looking out for his family's future.

The Barbarians side will have more players added to as the match draws nearer.

Barbarians: James O'Connor (London Irish, Australia), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, Australia), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand), Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont, France), Rene Ranger (Montpellier, New Zealand), Matt Giteau (Toulon, Australia), Francois Trinh Duc (Montpellier, France), Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand), Steffon Armitage (Toulon, England), Julien Bonnaire (Clermont, France), Ali Williams (Toulon, New Zealand), Carl Hayman (Toulon, New Zealand), John Afoa (Ulster, New Zealand).