Blues centre Rene Ranger’s season is over after he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday’s win over the Sharks.

The left knee injury happened in the 32nd minute of the come-from-behind 23-18 victory, just their third win in seven matches.

A Blues spokesman confirmed the ACL injury was season-ending.

It was not yet clear when Ranger would return to the field.

There has been speculation 29-year-old Ranger, who played the last of his six Tests for the All Blacks in 2013, could play his way back to international rugby this year.

He had gone to play for Montpellier but cut his three-year deal short after two seasons.

He then suffered a herniated disc in his neck which needed surgery last year.