Chiefs' Ranby raring to go

Mark Ranby's heard all the jokes before.


That he's a Super 12 specialist, he doesn't fancy the NPC and so on. Indeed, he got an email from his old Chiefs mate, Glen Jackson, now playing at Saracens in England, reminding him that "I don't like getting involved in the NPC".

The Chiefs centre laughs it off but there's no doubting his desire to get back into top-flight rugby when the Super 12 campaign starts against the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow night.

Ranby has missed the last two NPCs, laid low by shoulder injuries. Damage to the left shoulder cost him the 2003 season for Waikato, and the right sidelined him last year.

"The left one went really well last year in the Super 12 and I was thinking, 'Right, into it now', then I blew the right one out.

"It's extremely frustrating, but there's not much point dwelling on it."

But that layoff could be one reason Ranby was running with an extra spring in his step at Chiefs training this week. He relished being part of the first Chiefs team to make the semifinals last year and admitted expectations have been raised within the squad as a result.

"We had [All Blacks coach] Graham Henry come and speak to us at the beginning of last week. He said it's great to have success but the true test is how you back that up.

"People are a lot more aware of you. We have asked harder questions of ourselves on the training paddock and 'Fossie' [coach Ian Foster] has spoken about the fact it's only a small percentage which separates winners of the Super 12 from the has-beens as far as execution goes."

Ranby, 27, has been a Chief through some of the hard years, which made last season's achievement all the sweeter.

The knowledge that they were a competitive outfit, able to put opponents under pressure and win tight games, was deeply satisfying.

Ranby had one test, as a replacement against Samoa at Albany in 2001. He would seem a longshot for another call to the black. He is realistic, he has a clutch of rivals to climb over, but the dream lives on.

"One thing I've learnt in my years as a professional is the landscape changes so quickly you can never count yourself out of the picture.

"But it's something that will look after itself. It's something you can put too much on."

First things first, and that means a strong campaign with the Chiefs.

There is a new tonsorial look to the Chiefs this season. Some are an improvement, some distinctly dodgy. Ranby has a luxuriant mane, plus moustache. The hair will stay a while but the top lip is due a shave soon because he is part of the groom's party at a forthcoming wedding.

The bride-to-be was unimpressed with the new look and "I don't want her crying coming up the aisle", Ranby quipped.