A jury has returned a not guilty verdict in an assault case involving former All Black Rene Ranger.
Ranger has been on trial in the Whangarei District Court charged with injuring Mangawhai chef Jason Dick in 2009.
The prosecution claimed the Northland rugby star punched and stomped the Mangawhai man after he tried to tackle him outside a local tavern.
The defence argued Ranger merely defended himself against the tackle and the man injured himself when he fell to the ground.
