RUGBY - Will lone Ranger sing the Blues?

Blues coachA gathering of Super 14 coaches in Wellington yesterday has not shed any light on the matter but if the drumbeats are accurate then Northland's sudden arrival as a quarterfinals prospect has suddenly cast Rene Ranger as a name worth whispering.
The 22-year-old winger has suddenly risen to the top of the wish-list for a Super 14 contract next year, with Blues coach Pat Lam keen to keep Northland's star turn in the franchise colours.
But a backlog of try-scoring wingers in the Blues might yet throw Ranger's name on to the table in Wellington later this month when the five rival coaches try to secure their preferred 24-players in the annual Super 14 horse trading fair.
The Blues have All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Rudy Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake already. That may force Lam to leave Ranger and North Harbour's Vili Waqaseduadua out of the 24 and open to be plucked out of the pool as draft players to elsewhere.
But Ranger's form has been so devastating of late that he is now being rated alongside the big name Blues franchise wingers and may be forcing his way into Lam's preferred player list.
Lam was not about to show his hand just yet, but said enough yesterday to suggest that Ranger and Northland fullback Jared Payne are in his book of names. One more headline-grabbing performance against Auckland at Eden Park this weekend might just do the trick.
Ditto, even, for Northland captain Justin Collins, who Lam says "has made himself available" for Blues selection next year.
"I saw Ranger for the first time three years ago as Auckland coach in a pre-season game and he scored a brilliant try. He has shown glimpses of his ability since then but this year has been most consistent with a work rate that is phenomenal. He plays centre, wing and fullback and has put himself right in the reckoning," Lam said.
"There is a lot of talent in the outside back division, the key thing from a Blues coach point of view is that all these players have played well. From a selection point of view contenders are stepping up which makes my job easier, or maybe tougher depending on which way you look at it," he said.
"Jared Payne has consistently played well, the whole back three for Northland has gone well on the back of some good team performances and I will be interested to see how these guys go this weekend."
Both Payne and Ranger are also considering provincial contract offers from elsewhere, while also being targeted by Northland to sign up for another season with the Taniwha.
Ranger is now seen as a must-get contract for Northland, Payne has had at least one firm offer, from a cashed up Hawke's Bay union but is also a player Northland are hoping to retain for next season.
A Blues Super 14 contract could seal the deal.
Northland acting chairman Andrew Golightly said there were five "key signings" they were hoping to finalise in the next seven days but was careful not to name his targets.
"We have key players we have identified, and hopefully will be able to announce something positive in the short term," Golightly said.
In the meantime, Northland are preparing for a Blues franchise showdown with Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday, where a bonus point win for the Taniwha would all but guarantee them a start in the quarterfinals next week.
A win without bonus points might not keep their season alive to the play-offs, but it would still see Northland achieve a rare North Harbour/Auckland double.