Ex-All Black Ranger to face assault charge

Rene Ranger. Photo / Getty Images

Blues wing and former All Black Rene Ranger will go on trial in August on a charge of injuring with intent, three years after the alleged assault.

Ranger, 25, is charged over an assault on a man outside a pub in Mangawhai in August 2009. Ranger was arrested several weeks later.

A 26-year-old victim lost two front teeth, needed stitches to his forehead and injured his knee in the alleged assault.

The case was listed as a back-up trial in Whangarei District Court today and was confirmed as a firm fixture for August.

Police allege Ranger assaulted a man and left him requiring medical treatment outside the Mangawhai Tavern in August 2009.

At the time Ranger spoke of his disappointment.

"Firstly, I'd just like to say that I am disappointed that I was involved in something and it has got to this stage. It is not good for me, my family and not fair on the team.

"It is now in the court's hands and I've just got to get on and do my job and do what's best for this team."

In 2010, the victim's mother expressed her disgust to the Weekend Herald at Ranger's selection in the All Black side to play South Africa,

"I just didn't think you would let somebody in that team after [what's happened], but obviously other people think otherwise," she said. "I was a little pissed off when I found out this morning."

Ranger made his test debut against Wales in June 2010 taking the field as a substitute before making his first start three weeks later on the wing against South Africa.

He scored his only test try in that match as the All Blacks won 31-17 in Wellington.

His last appearance for New Zealand was later that season, once again as a substitute in a win against Australia.