RUGBY - Ranger back to advance his case

Rene Ranger will be back from injury just in time to make a bold bid for a Blues Super 14 contract when Northland meet franchise partners North Harbour in an Air NZ Cup match at Albany on Sunday.
Ranger was sorely missed as Northland came tantalisingly close to upending Canterbury in Whangarei last week. Sidelined with a hamstring strain, the blockbusting utility back was left out to make sure he was primed for Sunday's clash. Northland coach Mark Anscombe thinks the Tomarata 22-year-old is just one more banner performance away from winning favour with Blues coach Pat Lam.
"The way Rene has been playing, I can't see how he can be left out (of the Blues). My understanding is that the Blues are very, very interested in him. I don't think anybody will be surprised by that, he's been outstanding for us all year," Anscombe said.
Dogged by injury last season, Ranger missed out when the Super 14 roster was announced and watched Northland team-mate Fetu Vainikolo hit the headlines as a Highlanders draft player.
But while Vainikolo's star has faded this season, lacklustre efforts endangering his status as a Super 14 certainty, Ranger has stepped up by starting the season on the wing then moving to centre and showing his versatility.
It looms as a big test for Ranger. He is likely to start at centre and be handed the job of covering Harbour's returning All Black Rudy Wulf, who arrived back at Harbour headquarters last night along with his Tri-Nations team-mate, lock Anthony Boric.
Ranger's mission is just one challenge prominent in Anscombe's plans this week. He is also worried that Harbour will be on the rebound from a 40-point thrashing from Southland last week, buoyed by their All Blacks' return.
It isn't just Ranger on trial for the Blues, either. Fullback Jared Payne has piqued Lam's interest and even veteran Justin Collins is looming large for an unlikely return.
A big game on return from suspension could also boost prop Bronson Murray's hopes, if not for the Blues, then as a Chiefs draft player.
"Payne has got a lot of interest but guys like him and Rene are also fielding offers from other provinces, as well. It is just a by-product, I suppose, of the situation we are in," he said.
"Those two players (Wulf and Boric) will make a huge difference to that Harbour team. The worry is that Harbour will lift and we will relax because this isn't one of the big teams. The moment that happens, we're done for."