Ranger gets two-week suspension

Blues wing Rene Ranger has been suspended for two weeks for a dangerous tackle against the Bulls. Ranger's tackle on opposite Bjorn Basson in the dying seconds of the 29-23 victory was described as late and dangerous by Sanzar duty judicial officer Mike Heron. He will miss the Blues' matches against the Stormers in Cape Town this weekend and Hurricanes at Eden Park the week after. Ranger had pleaded guilty and was contrite, according to Heron's ruling. "In my view, Ranger was initially attempting to tackle the Bulls number 11 but had to pull out as the Bulls player was too close to the ground. The result was that Ranger's arms were not used in the tackle. In my view the tackle was reckless, and late (but this was a dynamic and very fast moving situation). "I accept Ranger's account that he was attempting a legitimate tackle and had no intention of injuring the Bulls player,'' Heron said in a statement. Ranger's suspension leaves coach Pat Lam short of backs. He has already lost Michael Hobbs to compassionate leave and Rudi Wulf and Isaia Toeava to injury. Auckland midfielder Hadleigh Parks, who came on as a substitute against the Bulls, is likely to play a more important role against the Stormers. The penalty is another blow to Lam after the announcement today that loose forward Jerome Kaino has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.