Rene Ranger true Northland Taniwha rather than AB.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10907947

Well done Rene, how many would turn down International duty in NZ for ITM Cup duty and loyalty to their province. Northland to get the 'block of wood' on the 17 Aug in Hamilton and I will be there:)

Ranger's a true Ngapuhi. going to be interesting how Rupeni goes?

What's a taniwha?

That's a once were warriors quote but I must confess I'd never heard the Northland team called that before. Is that a recent addition and are other provinces the same?

No Kia, Northland Taniwha has always been there. It is a Maori underwater monster, I do have pics of it as a Northland mascot in the 70's when of course Northland were North Auckland.

Interesting. I always referred to the Northland team as the Kamo Kids.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Interesting. I always referred to the Northland team as the Kamo Kids.

If you get the chance you should tell Rene that to his face.

Very courageous and loyal decision, as much as I'd have loved to see him in the AB jersey, good to see home is where the heart is, is still strong in some people. Second time this year he's opted out of a chance in the AB's. Probably thought all that travel just for time off the bench was better spent locally with whanau and friends. Good on him.

Just wish a few of the Auk youths would follow his example, instead wanting their space invaders money earlier.

Dramatic change from the 70's with 'Tane the Taniwha'. Needless to say the mascot next to Tane is a shade funnier and in what appears to be Canterbury colours.


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Possibly a better pic.

He'd probably agree rainbow. Only Sid Going could probably rival him in the mana stakes.

I don't think we should be holding up Rene as an example of loyalty. I don't blame any player who goes overseas but the fact is Ranger's timing to go to France is poor. With Conrad Smith out of the equation for the autumn tour it was his chance to probably show his worth there instead of the utility role often given to him as an AB player.

I wish him all the best with his move to France but saying he's loyal to Northland is a bit like saying SBW is loyal to boxing.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:He'd probably agree rainbow. Only Sid Going could probably rival him in the mana stakes.

I don't think we should be holding up Rene as an example of loyalty. I don't blame any player who goes overseas but the fact is Ranger's timing to go to France is poor. With Conrad Smith out of the equation for the autumn tour it was his chance to probably show his worth there instead of the utility role often given to him as an AB player.

I wish him all the best with his move to France but saying he's loyal to Northland is a bit like saying SBW is loyal to boxing.

Disagree, Rene had the chance of 6 games or part games for the AB's. He is not selling out to anyone, his talent was overlooked by the AB selectors in my opinion. He is going to Europe still young and could rake in the $$$$ in the short life span of a rugby player. I see Sid and the rest of the Going clan when I visit Mid Northern in Hukerenui as well as Holwell and other legends in and around Northland. He is a true Northlander and to compare him to SBW who does not give a flying **** about anyone other than himself is very silly. Nuff said on the matter, you know sweet fa about Northland rugby by what you write anyway.

Like I said, I don't begrudge his move to France and wish him the best. But you're the one being naive if you think his decision to turn down the ABs is based on loyalty to Northland. He'd be travelling a lot with the RC and would be away from his family. This way he gets to be with the whanau before he moves off to France. That's loyalty to his family as well as a quiet reminder to the AB selectors probably as to why he's going to France in the first place.

And calm down about the mascot. You didn't know who Larry the Lamb was or probably know or care the Cantebury basketball team is The Rams. Most people know them as the Red and Blacks much like Northland is recognised by their light blue colour.

You love the Northland region. As you should. It's a beautiful part of the country. But the way you interpret this move by Ranger is that he loves the Northland shirt more than the AB one. He may be justifiably peeved that he felt the AB shirt was out of reach. After all, he did try to get out of his contract. But now that it's out of control and he's moving off, who would begrudge him spending as much time at home before he leaves? But let's not read anything more into it than that.

I've no idea what this thread is about but those mascots are like something out of a bad dream  

Or a bad trip from the 1970s.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Or a bad trip from the 1970s.

Yeah. Brown acid, man.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:What's a taniwha?

That's a once were warriors quote but I must confess I'd never heard the Northland team called that before. Is that a recent addition and are other provinces the same?

You showed your ignorance with this.

As for your opinion on Rene well done you. By the way Madrid? The NZ$ not enough for you??

And you didn't know who Larry the lamb was but does that mean you know nothing about Canterbury rugby?

You of all people should know about living in a country outside of your native one.

Whoa whoa whoa... province v country debates, immigation, dodgy mascots, bickering .... I thought this was an Irish thread there for a second....

 It has a certain feel about it rodders.

Islanders eh

Even as we speak the dirty creature springs a nasty surprise...

Well its got a bit of NH influence that's what does it.
Surprised you didn't know about the Taniwha Kia.

Here's something to learn from - my song sings it all the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6YtoDv4hw

He's obviously not that loyal to Northland cause he's off to France. Personally I would have hung around and hoped to usurp Smith / get a place on the wing / be the first up reserve for the backs but its pretty understandable that he's off. Actually I've never really rated him because of his work rate / error rate so its been really impressive to see him play so well this year. I still think he makes a few errors on defence.

Think the French club team are protecting their asset rather than Rene getting all sentimental about Northland. Surely this the reason. French have form for this kind of thing and especially with PI players.

ebop wrote:Think the French club team are protecting their asset rather than Rene getting all sentimental about Northland. Surely this the reason. French have form for this kind of thing and especially with PI players.

Yeah right we also steal babies and eat them. Seriously....

Ranger ETA in Montpelier would be exactly the same if he had played the rugby championship so he obviously just want to spend some time with his own before moving.

I reckon he's gone to bush to avoid going to MP at all.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:And you didn't know who Larry the lamb was but does that mean you know nothing about Canterbury rugby?

You of all people should know about living in a country outside of your native one.

When I came to NZ I dropped a considerable amount in salary, somewhat different to the 30,000 kiwis who leave NZ each year.

As for Rene not being loyal as he is going to France, what a comment seeing how many others are in Japan and Europe earning more cash than they ever would in NZ. The LOYALY is sticking with Northland rather than playing for the AB's:picard: 

I genuinely thought I had wandered into one of those tedious England/Wales discussions but one that had been horribly misnamed. I didn't think you Kiwis went for this internal bickering lark; leave it to us in the NH as we are much better at it (we do get a lot more practice to be fair)

I lost the story half way through - can someone summarise it? Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

InjuredYetAgain wrote:I genuinely thought I had wandered into one of those tedious England/Wales discussions but one that had been horribly misnamed. I didn't think you Kiwis went for this internal bickering lark; leave it to us in the NH as we are much better at it (we do get a lot more practice to be fair)

I lost the story half way through - can someone summarise it? Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

Not quite I am Welsh:)

Rene Ranger is a bloody legend and because he turned his back on the AB's some idiots turn against him blah blah blah. He wanted to stay and captain Northland and good on him, hope we can bring the Log o' wood back home in 2 weeks. He is well respected throughout NZ.

rainbow-warrior wrote:

InjuredYetAgain wrote:I genuinely thought I had wandered into one of those tedious England/Wales discussions but one that had been horribly misnamed. I didn't think you Kiwis went for this internal bickering lark; leave it to us in the NH as we are much better at it (we do get a lot more practice to be fair)

I lost the story half way through - can someone summarise it? Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

Not quite I am Welsh:).

Ok, that explains it now.
Only Ranger really knows his reasons for turning down the chance of international caps. As with most things, the truth will be somewhere in the middle of our arguments.

nganboy I know what a taniwha is. It's a quote from Once Were Warriors when his sister is reading him a story. I like the line. Every Kiwi knows what a taniwha is. Highways are rerouted to protect them!

I'm self employed r-w and I can assure you money was not a reason for coming here. There are other things one is motivated by travelling and staying in a country. I seem to recall you have yourself a Kiwi missus. That is one reason to keep you in a place. It's a big one for me as well.

I think this saga with Ranger is unfortunate. Ranger was a fringe player and didn't see any opportunities for the ABs. Wing and centres looked solid. Then all of a sudden, injuries and pending retirements saw those positions look a lot shakier in terms of depth.

Ranger tried to get out of his contract but by then it was too late. France wanted too much of an exit payment and he was committed. I have no problem with him leaving for France much like Kaino or Kahui. Obviously I'd like to see them play in the NZ team but there are only so many places and only so much time for them to make the most of their rugby talents.

He turns down an opportunity to play in the RC and again I don't have a problem with that. Good luck to him with Northland and the shield match. We need to look forward to the 2015 squad and look at the positions we're not so good in. Every year it's the same story but every year it's a different position. This is just another case of players who want to play for NZ but are frustrated by not being selected. If he had been selected, we'd be talking about another player.

Here's an article on the story today.

Rene Ranger may have bigger priorities than the All Blacks at the moment, but the blockbusting Northland utility has pledged to stand by his phone during the upcoming Rugby Championship.

Ranger made what he described as one of the toughest calls of his life when he informed Steve Hansen at the recent All Blacks camp he was unavailable for the southern hemisphere international competition which kicks off a week on Saturday in Sydney.

Today, at the ITM Cup launch in Auckland, Ranger told media that the decision came down to the needs of his family, notably partner Kimberly Te Haara and their baby girl born in April.

But he has confirmed he won't say no to Hansen a second time should injuries strike the All Blacks during the championship and his services be required.

"I told Shag my phone is still on if they get any injuries or emergencies," said Ranger who will play his farewell campaign for the Taniwha before heading to France in November to take up a three-year deal with Montpellier.

The 26-year-old who has played six tests for the All Blacks spoke for the first time about the decision that had been equally as difficult as the one he made earlier this year to head to France to continue his career.

"I've got a young baby now, and I just want to be home looking after her and my partner, and I guess the bonus is I get to play for the Taniwha," he said.

"Some fellas can cope with [the time away], but I've got a newborn, and I've been away from home quite a bit already this year. I live in Whangarei, I've been in Auckland with the Blues, have been away with the June tests, and with the Rugby Championship you're away again.

"Before I head off I just wanted to stay home, look after them and get in the right head space.

"It's probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made but in my opinion family is always first and rugby second."

Ranger said he had sat down with his agent and All Blacks management at the recent camp to try and hammer out a solution but it had been "too difficult".

His understanding is that he leaves New Zealand rugby on good terms with both the All Blacks and NZRU.

"[Hansen] understands my decision and I think he supports me. I'd like to think I'm in good spirits with New Zealand rugby. They've done wonders for me and looked after me over the years."

He said he had no regrets about the path his career has taken, but did admit he hoped to return to the Kiwi game before all was said and done.

"I've enjoyed my time in New Zealand rugby, and now there are new challenges offshore. [But] I'd like to come back to New Zealand and play rugby again."

The irony of his situation wasn't lost on the mop-haired hard man either. After spending two years in the international wilderness, unwanted since playing three tests in 2010, he has now become an intrinsic part of All Black plans right when he's committed to heading offshore.

"I've been trying hard to get that jersey, cracked it in the June tests, but the circumstances with my partner and the baby has pulled me back to look after the family.

"With the coaches asking me to play for the All Blacks now, that's put a smile on my face but I think I've made the right decision."

Ranger said he remained highly motivated to finish his season on a high note with a Taniwha squad who open with a Ranfurly Shield challenge next Saturday in Hamilton.

"I'm excited about getting the [captain's] 'C' by my name. I've just got to perform on the field and let my performance do the leading, and just help the young fellas if they need guidance. I'm there to play my part for the team."

And to stand by that phone. The All Blacks, after all, are short on midfield options.

Rene Ranger True Family Man would be a better title to this thread.  

Last night on "Reunion" Foxy (wearing his selector cap) said that Ranger's unavailability was due to family reasons and if anyone was going to elaborate on that it would be Rene himself.

Or words to that effect.

Also, on a related vein, heres a story about players turning down the Black jersey in modern times.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10909118

Still we don't give a flying **** about what you think you know kia. He's playing for the Taniwha is a local Whangarei lad now and some know a little bit more

Rainbow warrior supposed to be a vehicle for peace and love bro - chill mate. We all like Ranger we just don't think he's the best thing since sliced bread.

nganboy wrote:Rainbow warrior supposed to be a vehicle for peace and love bro - chill mate. We all like Ranger we just don't think he's the best thing since sliced bread.

In Northland we do think he's the best thing. I am very chilled just a little p****d with the same old jumping on the bandwagon and twisting things to suit themselves.