Blues utility Rene Ranger has five stitches in his right eye but his biggest concern on Monday was being named as the rugby player at the centre of assault charges.
The 23-year-old allegedly left a man unconscious following an incident last August at Mangawhai Tavern, north of Auckland.
He appeared in the Warkworth District Court in October where he was charged with injuring with intent to injure.
Originally, Ranger had name suppression lifted by Judge Keith de Ridder in the Whangarei District Court on March 12, but he appealed the decision.
Ranger was charged by police with a separate assault charge on April 18, 2009 and was suspended by the New Zealand Rugby Union for one match for a breach of the players' collective employment agreement.
Since then, he had undergone an alcohol counselling program.
"I'm disappointed to be involved in something and that it has got to this stage," Ranger said at Blues training on Monday.
"It's not good for the team, or my family.
"It's now in the courts' hands and I've got to do my job and do what's best of the team."
It is a worrisome issue for Blues coach Pat Lam's 'free-spirited special project'.
Ranger is in danger of failing into the 'repeat offender' basket with the likes of Chiefs' early-round captain Sione Lauaki and Black Cap Jessie Ryder.
The main difference is Ranger has age on his side and could turn his off-field behaviour around, much-like Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan did after his alcohol issues.
Ranger is a former New Zealand Sevens player and was also selected in the Junior All Blacks last year.
He told Sportal on Monday: "I was stoked to make that team. The goal was to just play well for Blues.
"I'd like to get back to the juniors again, or even higher."
Of the off-field issues he said: "I just have to put everything aside and keep relaxed."
"I'm a guy that likes to keep a smile on his face, throw the ball around and have fun."
Lam was quiet on the issue, although he said he was totally behind Ranger, who was an 'important part of the team on and off the field'.
"He's coming on really well. He's a special project with X-factor," Lam said.
"Now his challenge is getting consistency within team structure."
Ranger produced a powerful man-of-the-match performance at centre in the Blues' 39-34 victory over the Brumbies last Friday where he suffered a second-half head clash, which resulted in stitches.
He grew up in Wellsford and played 37 games for Northland in the domestic competition since 2006 and will be considered for selection against the Waratahs in Sydney this Saturday night.
The Blues name their side on Thursday.