SUPER 14 - Northland flyer focuses on regular Blues berth

Northland winger Rene Ranger has been gifted an opportunity to push for a regular starting spot in the Blues in his Super 14 debut tonight.
Ranger will run on to Subiaco Oval in Perth in the No11 jersey against the Western Force, in the franchise's opening match of the campaign.
The Wellsford flyer has been given the chance because of the unavailability of All Blacks Rudi Wulf and Joe Rokocoko.
Wulf has a broken wrist and wasn't considered for the trip, while Rokocoko is expecting the birth of his first child.
With Wulf expected to be out for up to a month, and no word yet on how long Rokocoko will spend on paternity leave, Ranger could expect a good chance of retaining his spot for the rest of the Blues' overseas leg.
Ranger said he was looking forward to his debut game and the chance to start, but thought his All Black counterparts were likely to get the nod ahead of him when they were available.
"They'll always get picked first because they're ABs," he said.
"If I keep performing and being consistent I might have a chance."
He said keeping consistency and a high work-rate would help push his chances for a starting spot.
Ranger said the culture of the Blues was very professional and helpful, and he thought the franchise would do well the competition under the new coaches with a mixture of "old and young talented guys".
He joins five other debutants in the Blues side, with Chris Lowrey, Dean Budd, Charlie Faumuina, Peter Saili and Jamie Helleur all yet to play at Super 14 level.
Blues coach Pat Lam said his side had little experience together compared with the Force, who had several top players in key positions - such as Matt Giteau - in the backline.
"There's a few players in the side without a cap, so we're looking at working together as a team to prepare for that."
Lock Ali Williams and flanker Jerome Kaino are the other All Blacks who were unavailable for the trip to Perth. Williams has an ongoing back problem, while Kaino also missed the plane because he was expecting a child.
Better news was former Highlanders flanker Josh Blackie joining the squad for the first time in Perth, after his club Kobe was eliminated from the Japanese league playoffs over the weekend.
But Blackie will sit in the stand for tonight's game - he was resting several bumps and bruises suffered in that match on Saturday, but would be considered for next week's game against the Bulls.
The draw sees the Blues travel from Perth to Pretoria next week, and to Capetown to take on the Stormers on March 1.
While the draw is a tough one initially, it is also a golden opportunity to score crucial points - and for Ranger to cement a starting position before the All Blacks return.
Ranger has proven he can do the job under pressure, scoring a try in the Blues 26-24 pre-season win over Queensland Reds .
He has signed for Northland until at least the end of the 2010 Air New Zealand Cup.
The Blues' first home game is at Eden Park against the Sharks on March 7.