All Blacks: Ranger gets his chance to shine

Rene Ranger's fitness has impressed All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith.

Dynamic winger Rene Ranger will make his first All Blacks start in Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby test against the Springboks while off-key halfback Jimmy Cowan has been demoted to the reserves bench.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry today announced just those two changes to the backline from the starting side who hammered the tourists 32-12 in Auckland last Saturday.

Ranger replaces injured left winger Joe Rokocoko, who failed to overcome a hamstring strain.

Cowan has recovered from an abdominal strain but a mixed performance at Eden Park has seen him dropped to the bench, replaced by 39-test veteran Piri Weepu, who has been largely employed as an impact player in recent seasons.

The forward pack remains the same while the only other change in the reserves sees Israel Dagg introduced as outside back cover in place of Richard Kahui, who injured his shoulder in the Auckland test.

Ranger made his debut with 25 minutes off the bench at centre in the defeat of Wales at Hamilton on June 26 when he impressed with some lively bursts although he butchered a likely try when ignoring an overlap outside him.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith admitted Ranger's ability at the top level was still in question but his raw talents meant he was worth the risk.

"Rene's like any new player. Coming up to this level is quite a big ask because you have to learn the tactical approach that we're taking and the moves that we're going to use," he said.

"Then you've got to come up to the level mentally. But you've to be careful that you don't clutter these guys and you let them go out and do what they're good at.

"We selected people because they're good at what they do at Super 14, we just have to make sure that we allow them to do that, back their instinct and play like they play on any rectangle any given Saturday."

Ranger was a standout for the Blues during the Super 14, beating defenders effortlessly through a mix of pace and rare power for an outside back.

Smith said the 23-year-old Northlander would not be afforded such leeway by the world champion Springboks.

"There are other players who look a million dollars (at provincial and Super 14 level) and can't quite cut it in the test arena. You don't quite know until you play them," Smith said.

"You never know until they're in the heat of the battle, how they're going to react."



NEW ZEALAND

Tony Woodcock
Keven Mealamu
Owen Franks
Brad Thorn
Tom Donnelly
Jerome Kaino
Richie McCaw - captain
Kieran Read
Piri Weepu
Daniel Carter
Rene Ranger
Ma'a Nonu
Conrad Smith
Cory Jane
Mils Muliaina

RESERVES:

Corey Flynn
Ben Franks
Samuel Whitelock
Liam Messam
Jimmy Cowan
Aaron Cruden
Israel Dagg

* Westpac Stadium, 7.35pm Saturday

- NZPA