Rene Ranger has been ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby season after injuring his knee against the Sharks last weekend.

The Blues centre left the field in the 32nd minute, with scans later revealing that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. Ranger, who only recently fully recovered from neck surgery, has been in impressive form since returning to the Blues after a three-year stint in France with Montpellier.

Despite the blow, Blues coach Tana Umaga said they were confident they would be able to cope in his absence.

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