By Amanda Gillies
Blues wing and former All Black Rene Ranger has gone on trial charged with injuring with intent, three years after the incident happened.
But the victim told the court today he can't remember what happened, and Ranger says it was self-defence.
Ranger is a top-level rugby star – 182cm tall, just under 100kg. Jason Dick is a chef – 20cm shorter, 30kg lighter. But when full of liquor, the defence claims, Dick tried to take Ranger on, rugby tackling him.
Ranger fended him off, but Dick says it's unlikely he would have attacked Ranger.
"Why would I do that? Tackle someone twice my size… I doubt it, man," Dick told the court.
Ranger, a Blues winger and former All Black, had never met Dick, who has since moved to Australia.
The court heard in August 2009 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 Dick wanted to phone him, but not to offer congratulations. The defence says he wanted to apologise.
"I can't remember," said Dick.
The court heard Dick was halfway through a two-year ban from the pub when the incident happened. He had been kicked out for being too drunk.
The trial has been set down for four days.
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