Woodward welcomes Ranger back to Northland squad

One man's misfortune is another man's gain - and while Northland Rugby coach Bryce Woodward was sorry Rene Ranger was excluded from the All Blacks' squad to play Australia, he welcomed the centre back to his province with open arms.
Ranger will line up at outside centre after he was named in Northland's starting XV to play Auckland, in their second pre-season match at Dargaville's Farmlands Rugby Park tomorrow.
"We are sorry for Rene that he is not in the 26 but we are delighted to have him back," Woodward said.
Ranger, who scored a try in his starting debut as the All Blacks beat South Africa 31-17 in Wellington last Saturday, makes way for Joe Rokocoko, who recovered from a hamstring strain in time for the Tri Nations test match against the Wallabies in Melbourne on July 31.
Woodward has made several changes to the side which beat North Harbour 31-21 at Kaitaia last Wednesday, in Northland's build-up to their first ITM Cup match, away to Taranaki on July 29.
Last year's skipper, Jared Payne, whose injured hand sidelined him last week, will start at fullback.
"Jared's hand is improving all the time, so we will give him a go at fullback," the coach said.
Australian lock Pat O'Connor, Joel McKenty and Cameron Eyre get a start in the forwards, while Rhyan Caine will start at halfback, with David Holwell at fly half and Lachie Munro on the left wing.
Two players on loan from Auckland - Paea Fa'anunu and Bryce Heem - have been named on the bench.
While boosted by last week's victory, and the addition of several key and experienced players, Northland will not be taking Auckland  lightly. "I imagine the Auckland squad will be strong - they have just had the semis in their club rugby competition, and only have the final to go. A lot of players won't be involved with that, and I expect they will be in serious preparation mode now," Woodward said.
Meanwhile, Auckland coach Mark Anscombe named seven newcomers in the squad for this year's provincial rugby championship, including three who played at the recent junior world championship in Argentina.
Lock Liaki Moli and flanker Sean Polwart were a part of the world championship winning New Zealand side, of which Anscombe was assistant coach. Winger Charles Piutau, who represented Tonga in Argentina, is also in the squad.
Other newcomers  include former Hawke's Bay players Ash Dixon and Matt Berquist, as well as Toby Morland, who has recently returned from an overseas stint with Munster.
The ITM Cup pre-season match between Northland and Auckland kicks off at 3.30pm tomorrow, at Farmlands Rugby Park, Dargaville.
Northland: 1. Bronson Murray, 2. Mikaele Tuu'u, 3. Matt Wallis, 4. Pat O'Connor, 5. Mark Burman, 6. Dean Budd, 7. Joel McKenty, 8. Cameron Eyre, 9. Rhyan Caine, 10. David Holwell, 11. Lachie Munro, 12. Aaron Bancroft, 13. Rene Ranger, 14. Simon Munro, 15. Jared Payne. Reserves: 16. Tim Dow, 17. Paea Fa'anunu (loan Auckland), 18. Roy Griffin, 19. Cam Goodhue, 20. Luke Hamilton, 21. Adam Clarke, 22. Bryce Heem (loan Auckland). Unnumbered reserves: Ross Wright, Iwi Hauraki,
Mateo Malupo, Aden Dewes.
Auckland: Halani Aulika, Ben Atiga, Onosa'i Auva'a, Matt Berquist, Daniel Braid, Ash Dixon, Charlie Faumuina, Kurtis Haiu, Brenton Helleur, Jamie Helleur, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Tom McCartney, Ash Moeke, Liaki Moli, Toby Morland, Atieli Pakalani, Charles Piutau, Sean Polwart, Chay Raui, Peter Saili, Winston Stanley, Dave Thomas, Andrew Van der Heijden, Brent Ward. All Blacks John Afoa and Benson Stanley are available to play for Auckland.