All Blacks: Superman unable to leap Ditch for Oz test

Rene Ranger has been dropped from the Melbourne squad. Picture / Rod Emmerson

Superman, meet kryptonite.

Rene Ranger, whose fitness levels were described as Superman-like by assistant coach Wayne Smith last week, was yesterday dropped from the squad to travel to Melbourne for the All Blacks' next Tri-Nations clash with Australia.

Ranger, 23, mixed the good with the not-so-good in his starting XV debut on Saturday, scoring a try "against the odds", but has been sacrificed to make way for an extra halfback.

"We can only take 26 to Australia, that's the rules," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said. "We've got a situation at halfback where Piri [Weepu] may need to come home [for the birth of his first child] so we've decided to take an extra halfback.

"It also gives Alby a bit of time to get his feet under the table at that camp and get to know what we're about."

Without detracting from the joy of impending fatherhood, if Weepu was to come home and miss the July 31 clash, the timing could not be worse. His 40th cap for the All Blacks in the weekend was the rejuvenated halfback's most significant.

"He's a talented footballer," Henry said. "He's a natural footballer. He can see things other people can't see and has a great feel for the game. Piri played exceptionally well for 60 minutes on Saturday."

Liam Messam has joined Ranger in the unlucky club. Restricted to two cameos off the bench against the Boks, Messam has lost out as loose forward cover to Victor Vito, who was not considered for either Tri-Nations test due to a calf injury.

Vito will be considered at blindside and No 8, with Read set to shift to openside if the unthinkable happens and Richie McCaw gets injured.

"He's played a bit at No 7, though not very often. I'm sure he can do the job well," Henry said.

Henry had been impressed by the way the new players have slotted into the squad and said dropping Ranger was not easy.

"He scored a try against the odds in the weekend, which most guys wouldn't have scored. He made the odd mistake, which he's bound to do in his early experiences of international football, so he's got some learning [to do]."

"He and Liam aren't going simply because we can only take a squad of 26."

Henry said he had already switched his focus from what had gone against the Springboks to what they can expect from the Wallabies.

"They've got different strengths and weaknesses. I imagine the Wallabies will use the ball a lot more than the Springboks," Henry said.

"They haven't got the same experience up front - that's not to say they won't be good up front but they haven't got the same experience. They've got quality backs and forwards who can catch and pass so they'll probably play a different style."

On whether he had spent any time considering the psychological effect the two crushing wins against the world champions would have on South Africa ahead of next year's World Cup, Henry said there was little point.

"Quite often what happens in one season doesn't reflect what's going to happen in the next season so you can get carried away thinking about those sort of things, but quite frankly it's a waste of time."

A number of the All Blacks squad have been made available for pre-season provincial rugby games this week ahead of the ITM Cup.

Tomorrow, Auckland play Northland in Dargaville, North Harbour take on Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe, while Waikato play Japanese side Toshiba in Hamilton.

On Friday, Wellington travel to play Canterbury and Manawatu host Hawkes Bay.

All Blacks available for pre-season matches are John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Corey Flynn, Messam, Ranger, Benson Stanley and Vito.

Test Squad

All Blacks squad for July 31 Tri-Nations test against Australia in Melbourne:

John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Cory Jane, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Brad Thorn, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Samuel Whitelock, Tony Woodcock. Alby Mathewson will also assemble with the squad as cover for Weepu who is preparing for the arrival of his first child.