Ex-Blues utility Rene Ranger joins Crusaders
The Crusaders have signed former Blues and Highlanders backs Rene Ranger and Josh McKay ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa (SRA) campaign.
Both have been brought in as injury replacements, with McKay confirmed as a replacement for All Black Braydon Ennor, who will miss SRA while he recovers from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Ranger is expected to be on deck for at least three or four weeks of the competition, while wings George Bridge and Manasa Mataele recover from pectoral injuries.
The 34-year-old Ranger played 76 games for the Blues between 2009-2017 and has six All Blacks caps to his name.
Fresh off another campaign with Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup, the powerful runner has the ability to play both in the midfield and on the wing.
Despite Bridge and Mataele being sidelined, the Crusaders have ample of experienced options at wing, including Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku, and now McKay.
Rookies Chay Fihaki and Isaiah Punivai are other options.
However, it’s in the midfield where Ranger might be most utilised, given Ennor’s injury leaves the 11-times champions light.
All Black Jack Goodhue and second-year player Dallas McLeod are the only fit specialist midfielders with Super Rugby experience, meaning utility David Havili could find himself playing there.
Confirmation Cantabrian McKay has landed a gig with the team he grew up aspiring to play for will be welcome news for those gobsmacked he didn’t secure a contract when the five Kiwi teams were named late last year.
The fact the Highlanders didn’t extend the 23-year-old beyond his three seasons in Dunedin didn’t go down well with some, particularly after he appeared to be finding his groove at Super Rugby level late last season.
It’s understood the speedy fullback/wing attracted interest from other franchises, but Crusaders coach Scott Robertson convinced him to join the red and blacks.
The Crusaders held optional conditioning sessions on Monday and yesterday this week, before medical assessments and a yoyo fitness test today.
Minus the team’s All Blacks, who won’t be on deck until the second week of February, the squad will begin formal training on Monday with a bronco fitness test.
The Crusaders play the Highlanders in a pre-season match in Temuka on February 12 followed by the Blues at Eden Park on February 20.