"I'd like to think I'm in the thoughts of Fozzie [Ian Foster] and Shag [Steve Hansen]. I was gutted I missed the World Cup squad. I watched a couple of World Cup games at home and went to a couple in Whangarei."
Watching the World Cup was made worse for Ranger by the ill-effects of a lacerated kidney he suffered in August, playing for Northland in the ITM Cup.
"It happened in a tackle from [Otago first-five] Tony Brown. I couldn't do anything fitness-wise up until Christmas."
As a result Ranger (whose Christian name is pronounced Rennie as in the surname of the Chiefs coach rather than Rene of 'Allo 'Allo fame) has taken a bit of stick for putting on some extra 'condition' over summer.
On BluesTV, team-mate Brad Mika even has a giggle about Ranger's running time trial being somewhat slower than the expected team norm.
Ranger says he has trimmed down since.
"I battled at the start of pre-season but I've done the hard yards and my fitness has returned."
The Blues will use Ranger as a centre or wing.
Initially he's likely to get opportunities in the 13 jersey with Benson Stanley inside him at second five-eighths.
The 25-year-old may be forced wider when Ma'a Nonu returns from Japan. Ranger says he doesn't mind but, as a punishing defender and straight runner, he leaves an impression his preference is centre.
"I get more ball at centre but I'm pretty easy whether Pat [coach Lam] wants me there or on the wing. I'll do whatever's best for the team. I'm comfortable making the hits and they could use me on the crash ball or as a distributor."
One area he has been working on is decision-making.
"There is a temptation to hold the ball too long. I like to offload and put players away but it's about working on those split-second calls when I'm put in that position."
Ranger is known by the nickname Rooster, a throwback to his days sporting a blond mohawk and creating havoc in the crimson strip of the Tomarata club, east of Wellsford. He says the Blues have assured him they encourage such joie de vivre.
"Pat encourages me to do things and show some flair. Sometimes I do things I'm not supposed to but you play what's in front of you. I like open rugby with plenty of running but it's important to play within team tactics and patterns."
Ranger also faces the task of concentrating on his work while expunging thoughts of an impending trial on assault charges in the Whangarei District Court in August. The charges come three years after an alleged incident which left a man unconscious outside the Mangawhai Tavern.
"When it gets closer to the time, it'll be harder," Ranger says. "But at the moment, it's about putting rugby first. I just like playing rugby or training."
