Northland rugby winger Rene Ranger has been stood down by the New Zealand Rugby Union as police investigate his alleged participation in an assault after a late-night street brawl. He will miss the match against the Reds at Albany on Saturday, while the NZRU also undertakes a misconduct investigation into anincident Ranger was allegedly involved in. Ranger's home town of Wellsford is about 20km northwest of Matakana, where police confirmed they were investigating an incident that left a man unconscious on the road. Police would not release the names of those involved in the incident. 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. It is understood the man was unconscious for several minutes following an altercation. It is understood that Ranger, 22, went to see Matakana police on Tuesday morning. NZRU general manager professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, said the NZRU and the Blues had also started a misconduct investigation into the incident, and Ranger accepted that, given the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for him to play on Saturday. "Together with the Blues team management we will also hold a misconduct hearing with Rene to determine exactly what happened. Once we have ascertained the facts we will then determine any penalty deemed appropriate," Sorensen said. Ranger is in his first season with the Blues, after a season in the wider training group in 2007. Ranger is still expected to line up for Northland again in this year's Air New Zealand Cup.
