The Black Ferns are set to announce 14-Test wing Mererangi Paul as the injury replacement for Amy Du'Plessis at the Women's Rugby World Cup in the UK.
Team management previously confirmed to media that a replacement back had been called into the squad to cover Du'Plessis after she was given an emotional sendoff by the team following their 46-17 quarterfinal win over South Africa at the weekend.
Fans had been speculating the replacement could be fellow outside back Ruby Tui, with the 33-year-old already in the UK covering the World Cup as part of the BBC's coverage after missing out on squad selection prior.
Her media role has meant she hasn't been playing or training, though, unlike Hannah King, another name suggested after her notable absence from Canterbury's FPC win over Auckland on Saturday.
However, 1News understands that the player will be Paul, who comes into the squad fresh with Counties Manukau experiencing a bye in the latest round of the Farah Palmer Cup.
Paul joins a Black Ferns squad facing a midfield injury crisis ahead of their semifinal against Canada, with both Theresa Setefano and Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i Sylvia Brunt unlikely to play.
Setefano failed a head injury assessment during Sunday's win over the Springbok Women, meaning World Rugby's mandatory 12-day minimum stand-down protocol should be in effect, while Brunt has suffered delayed symptoms from her second head knock this tournament, sustained during the final pool match against Ireland a week ago.
With Du'Plessis' departure, it means Stacey Waaka is the only specialist midfielder fit for Saturday's game.
While predominantly selected on the wing for the Black Ferns previously, Paul has been playing at both midfield positions for the Counties Manukau heat this season.
Saturday's game kicks off at 6am NZT.
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