Former All Black and Blues player Rene Ranger is on trial in the Whangarei District Court for allegedly punching a man unconscious and stomping on his head in 2009.

Ranger, 25, is charged with injuring with intent after an incident outside the Mangawhai Tavern in August 2009.

Crown prosecutor Grant Anscon said the victim, Jason Dick, suffered injuries to his eyebrow, nose and teeth.

"It wasn't an accident. He meant to do what he did."

Defence lawyer Arthur Fairley said Ranger did not punch or stomp on the man as alleged.

He said Dick ran over to Ranger as he waited outside the tavern and crashed into him.

He said Ranger did not assault Dick but fended him off and pushed him to the ground.

Dick, testifying via video link from Australia, said he had been at a concert at the Mangawhai Tavern and he was play wrestling with a friend while they waited for a ride home.

The next thing he knew he was "spitting out teeth" and picking himself up off the ground, he said.

The trial before Judge Duncan Harvey is scheduled for four days. 

- © Fairfax NZ News