Rene Ranger disappointed New Zealand fans when he left for France © Getty Images

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Rene Ranger will re-join the Blues for the 2016 Super Rugby season, the former All Blacks cult hero returning home to New Zealand "primarily for family reasons" having gained an early release from his contract with French Top 14 club Montpellier after two seasons.

Ranger scored 25 tries in 65 Super Rugby matches for the Blues, form that saw him win six caps for the All Blacks, and he has touched down six tries in 15 games for Montpellier this season. But he wants to head home because "family comes first … I want to be able to help my mum more".

He said he sought out the Blues as soon as he had made his decision to head home.

"I started my Super career with them and they have always been close to me. JK [Blues coach Sir John Kirwan] has always backed me and motivated me to be my best."

Ranger will also play for North Harbour in the ITM Cup, rather than returning to Northland, because "our family wants to be together in one place. Ranger said "last time I travelled from Northland and lived on my own".

Ranger said he would return home "a better rugby player".

"I am mentally stronger and I've learned a lot that I can bring back into the Blues environment," he said, confirming that he wanted to wear the All Blacks jumper once again.

Kirwan said that Ranger "made his mark on the game in this country as a remarkable attacking player, always able to break tackles, often when there was nothing on".

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said: "It's great news that Rene has chosen to resume his rugby career back in New Zealand. He's a classy player with the ability to surprise that makes him a favourite of fans. He will have learnt much from his time in France and is sure to be an exciting draw card for the Blues and North Harbour."