By 3 News online staff
Blues wing and former All Black Rene Ranger has been found not guilty of assault at a Northland bar.
The jury reached a unanimous not guilty verdict this afternoon at the Whangarei District Court.
Ranger faced two charges of injuring with intent after allegedly leaving a man unconscious outside the Mangawhai Tavern, north of Auckland, in August 2009.
The alleged victim, Jason Dick, required stitches in his head, and suffered ripped tendons in his kneecap. He also lost two teeth in the altercation.
The court heard in August 2009 that Mr Dick had been drinking for about seven hours – first at his father's house, and then Mangawhai Tavern. When he was waiting for his ride home he started play fighting with his brother. He admitted it was quite rough.
The next thing he remembered was coming to and spitting out teeth and wiping off blood. He admitted he had no idea what happened, but a witness told him Ranger was responsible.
When Ranger became an All Black, the defence says Mr Dick wanted to phone him, but not to offer congratulations. The defence says he wanted to apologise.
The court heard Mr Dick was halfway through a two-year ban from the pub when the incident happened. He had been kicked out for being too drunk.
Ranger initially sought name suppression after the incident but the High Court ruled against him two years ago.
3 News / RadioLIVE