Former All Black Rene Ranger wants to return home from his French club Montpellier to be closer to family but also with an eye on next year's World Cup.
The first hurdle the 28-year-old midfielder or wing has to clear, however, is getting a release from his club, who are sixth in the French Top 14 competition. He is contracted to the club, coached by former France international halfback Fabien Galthie, until 2016, and securing an early release will not be straightforward.
He has played well for Montpellier, having lost none of his crowd-pleasing ability to break tackles or contest high kicks. His club were beaten semifinalists in his first season.
The former Blues player only arrived at the club's south of France base in the latter part of last year after playing in all three of the All Blacks' June tests against France. After announcing his shift overseas, he made himself unavailable for Steve Hansen's squad, preferring to captain Northland in order to stay closer to home.
He impressed hugely in his two substitute appearances for Hansen's team against the French in Auckland and Christchurch and got a start on the left wing for the test in New Plymouth.
The All Blacks were understood to be prepared to make allowances for Ranger during the Rugby Championship so he could spend more time at his Whangarei home with his wife and young child, but he preferred to make a clean break. He said at the time: "It's probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made - probably one of the hardest after signing a contract to go overseas. But in my opinion family comes first and rugby is second."
