Goodbye Rene Ranger!

Rene Ranger is set to play his final game for the Northland Taniwha for some time yet against the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.

Ranger didn't quite manage to get out of his hugely lucrative playing deal with Montpellier as reported earlier this season - costing him a place in the All Blacks in all likelihood despite his huge form for the Blues in midfield earlier in the year.



It should be a sell-out for one of Northland's favourite sons and the Whangarei crowd will be hoping that they can get a win to send him off - a good chance against already relegated Bay of Plenty with nothing to play for.

Ranger has been a thrill to watch in New Zealand rugby and it's a shame that once again New Zealand rugby is losing another player from that group of players who can't quite make the All Blacks but make New Zealand rugby the envy of the world.

I guess the one thing that went against him was a lack of consistency earlier in his career - and some bad decisions by his management, including not having the get-out clause for him should he make the All Blacks this season.



Otherwise, he definitely would have been a major part of the All Blacks from his debut in 2009.

It'll be a bit hard to see Ranger ever play for the All Blacks again given the rise of Francis Sai'ili, Ben Smith and of course the impending return of Sonny Bill Williams in 2015.

However, Montpellier, who are now one of French rugby's heavyweights, will have an absolutely great player in their ranks as they push for Top 14 and Heineken Cup glory.

Chur bro! And good luck in France!