A Saturday wedding appears to be on the cards for All Blacks great Richie McCaw and hockey star Gemma Flynn.
Two sources with knowledge of the wedding have separately confirmed to Newshub that it will take place this weekend.
Security guards from Auckland-based Platform 4 Group, a firm that specialises in major events, are on-site at a wedding venue overlooking Lake Wanaka called The Olive Grove.
A large marquee is being prepared at the venue and guards can be seen walking the perimeter while speaking into walkie-talkies.
A track near the venue, which is usually accessible to the public, was suddenly closed by security guards after Newshub reporter Dave Goosselink walked up it.
One of the uniformed guards denied he was working on the McCaw-Flynn wedding, saying instead that he was "on holidays".
Locals said the gates to The Olive Grove were normally left open, but were closed today.
Speculation about the wedding - and whether the ceremony already took place - has been rife in New Zealand's media this week.
Some reports claim the wedding happened last weekend, but McCaw has since appeared in public without a wedding band.
Black Sticks star Rose Keddell, who like Flynn hails from Tauranga, is currently in Wanaka, and another of Flynn's teammates, Olivia Merry, has been spotted at nearby Lake Benmore.
McCaw's long-time teammate and friend Dan Carter is currently playing rugby in France. His team Racing 92 last played on January 11 and does not play again until January 28.
But a photo posted on Instagram earlier on Friday appears to show Carter eating dinner with Racing 92 teammates in Paris.
With a flight to Christchurch on Emirates taking more than 24 hours, it would be a stretch for Carter to make a Saturday wedding if that photo is accurately dated.
Carter has previously indicated he may be unable to attend the wedding due to his playing commitments.
Newshub.
