Blues player in street fight probe

Blues winger Rene Ranger. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland Blues newcomer Rene Ranger is under investigation for alleged involvement in a late-night street fight in Matakana.

It is understood the 22-year-old winger reported to police yesterday, in relation to an incident that left a man unconscious on the road.

Matakana police confirmed they were investigating an incident outside Matakana House bar on Matakana Rd from early Sunday morning, but would not release the names of those involved.

A St John spokesman said paramedics were called to Matakana Rd about 1.50am on Sunday and took one person to North Shore Hospital for treatment. ARU chief executive Andy Dalton would not be drawn on details, but confirmed Ranger had been spoken to.

"We are aware of an incident and are looking into the matter. We have spoken to the player involved, but until we know more details it would be unhelpful to comment further," he told the Herald last night.

It is understood Ranger was involved in an early morning altercation on Matakana Rd that left a man unconscious for several minutes.

It is the 1.82m, 97kg former Northlander's first season in the Blues squad, after a season in the wider training group in 2007 and he is expected to line up against the Reds at Albany this weekend.

The alleged fight comes two weeks after teammate Taniela Moa was stood down from the Blues' match against the Lions at Eden Park and fined $1200 - following a bottle-throwing incident at Auckland's Marist Rugby Club in Ellerslie.

Moa, who plays for Te Papapa, Mt Wellington, was under police investigation and the subject of an NZRU misconduct hearing after a woman - thought to be another player's girlfriend - complained to police about being struck by a flying bottle at the Marist clubrooms on Saturday, March 28.

Moa was also ordered to undertake alcohol counselling by the NZRU. The halfback has reportedly apologised to the woman and will help out with some community rugby programmes in Auckland.

NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorenson said Moa appeared in the Auckland District Court charged with assault and was granted diversion.

In a third, separate, incident, Auckland provincial representative Simon Munro was one of four taxi passengers accused of attacking a Sikh taxi driver two weekends ago.