Ranger to step up for Blues

Exciting New Zealand and Blues back Rene Ranger will be stepping into a leadership role for the Auckland side in 2013.

Since the departure of some high profile players, such as Ma’a Nonu and Joe Rokocoko, in recent seasons, the Blues require a player to step up to lead the potential-packed yet under-performing Blues backs; and Ranger has been happy to oblige.

“He’s leading the backline and doing a great job,” said Blues coach John Kirwan.

“He should be a key focal point in our backline that’s not to say down the line he might have to cover other positions, but for me he has to cement our backline,” Kirwan added.

Kirwan said that he is pleased regarding the way that the pre-Christmas training advanced over the holiday period, as all the players were producing better performances and statistics.

“This week has been our first technical week so it has been really intense for them and it has been a good week,” he said.

With Graham Henry on board as the defence coach, and Kirwan bringing in new attacking methods, the Blues have solid platform to build ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament.

“There’s quite a lot of learning to be done in the next two weeks. They’re positive, they’re fast learners and I think we are all on the same page,” he said.