Temalisi Fakahokotau will be sidelined for the remainder of 2018 netball season in a huge blow to New Zealand's hopes of an international revival.
Goal keeper Fakahokotau ruptured the ACL in her right knee during training and is expected to be out of netball for several months.
Her place in the Silver Ferns squad will taken by promising Auckland defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson as they prepare for the opening leg of the Quad Series in Auckland on Saturday.
Australia meet South Africa in the opening Test before New Zealand face Commonwealth Games champions England.
Mainland Tactix defender Fakahokotau led defensive statistics for intercepts, deflections and rebounding in this year's New Zealand Premiership.
Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua said the 24-year-old's absence will be keenly felt.
"Temalisi is an outstanding player, both on and off the court, and the loss of her defensive energies will be missed by the team," she said.
Sokolich-Beatson, 21, and Fakahokotau were both in the Kiwi Commonwealth Games squad that struggled to a fourth placing on the Gold Coast.
Former skipper and defender Casey Kopua has returned to New Zealand colours and is in Taurua's wider squad.
However, she wasn't considered for the Quad Series while she recuperates from a foot injury and will target a return in the four-Test Constellation Cup series against Australia next month.
