Rugby: Stand-down brings sage advice from Blues coach

Police and the NZRU are investigating an incident at Matakana last weekend involving wing Rene Ranger. Photo / Northern Advocate

Blues v Reds
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, Saturday 5.30pm

Blues coach Pat Lam has reiterated the need for players to avoid troublespots in their social life.

For the second time this season the Blues have stood a player down, as police and the New Zealand Rugby Union investigate an incident at Matakana last weekend involving wing Rene Ranger. Earlier halfback Taniela Moa was bypassed for a match as authorities investigated an episode at his rugby club.

A clearly frustrated Lam said players had to learn they could not retaliate in their private or public lives.

"It's the same as on the field, as we know, whoever retaliates gets penalised. So the message was pretty strong," said Lam after addressing his squad yesterday.

"It doesn't matter how much they are pushed by people who are trying to get into them," he said.

"It's all very well being great in our team environment but when you go and have your free time and you are with your other mates you still represent all of us. It's disappointing for Rene as he's missed an opportunity to play this week."

Ranger apologised to the Blues squad yesterday as he suggested he had been pushed to the limit in an incident which occurred at Matakana, but realised he had to be stronger and couldn't react as he had.

His actions meant he was ignored for the Blues match tomorrow at North Harbour Stadium in a game where regular captain Keven Mealamu has been rested with the captain's armband going to the hugely experienced flanker Justin Collins.

Lam's lengthy defence of his side's behaviour issues became the main focus of the pre-match discussions about the Blues' chances tomorrow against the Reds at North Harbour Stadium. Discussion about players' discipline overshadowed inquiries about Mealamu's enforced rest and Ali Williams' return to the side from the bench.

The Blues have won their last two games while the Reds have fallen in their last four with coach Phil Mooney delivering a scathing rebuke about his side last week after they were beaten by the Lions.

* The Super 14 and Tri-Nations rugby competitions will fold unless differences involving South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are quickly resolved, New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs said yesterday.

Hobbs said the Sanzar partners were working to preserve the southern hemisphere competitions but would have to quickly reach agreement or accept the three-nation bloc must dissolve.

"There a couple of outstanding issues. We have narrowed them down, but unless they are resolved it is likely Sanzar relationship will fold," Hobbs said during the NZRU AGM yesterday.

BLUES v REDS

Blues

Paul Williams
Joe Rokocoko
Anthony Tuitavake
Isaia Toeava
Rudi Wulf
Tasesa Lavea
Taniela Moa
Chris Lowrey
Josh Blackie
Justin Collins (c)
Anthony Boric
Kurtis Haiu
Charlie Faumuina
Tom McCartney
Tony Woodcock

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tevita Mailau, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino/Peter Saili, Grayson Hart, Jimmy Gopperth, Michael Hobbs.

Reds

Mark McLinden
Luke Morahan
Digby Ioane
Berrick Barnes
Brando Va'aulu
Quade Cooper
Will Genia
Ezra Taylor
Tasi Luafutu
Hugh McMeniman
James Horwill (c)
Van Humphries
Laurie Weeks
Sean Hardman
Greg Holmes

Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Jack Kennedy, Adam Byrnes, Scott Higginbotham, Ben Lucas, Anthony Faingaa, Charlie Fetoai.