While Steel chief executive Julie Paterson did not confirm Wipiiti was pregnant, her comments seemed to suggest the rumour mill was accurate.
''Just at the moment we are not in a position to comment but I'll get back to you as soon as I can,''
Paterson told the Otago Daily Times when approached for comment yesterday.
Asked if an extra player had been training with the Steel before its ANZ Championship match against the West Coast Fever in Perth last night, Paterson said she could not comment on that either.
Wipiiti has been in good form for the Steel this season.
The Silver Ferns squad member helped the
franchise to a 66-44 win over the Pulse in Wellington last month and is averaging 30 goals a match.
Wipiiti's 1.94m frame makes her an easy target for the likes of midcourters Adine Wilson and Liana
Barrett-Chase, and her combination with goal attack Donna Wilkins has improved with every match.
If Wipiiti did pull out, the Steel's shooting stocks would be significantly weakened.
Back-up shooter Julianna Naoupu turned in a superb performance against the Melbourne Vixens last year but she has had limited court time this season, as has fellow bench player Australian Leah Shoard.
Last year, the Steel whistled in former Silver Ferns shooter-turned-television presenter Tania Dalton when struck by injury.
A repeat of that move seems unlikely but the player Dalton replaced - Megan Dehn - shapes as perhaps the most likely candidate.
The Steel attempted to secure the Australian's services this season but the application was declined by Netball New Zealand.
The national body may relax its stance if the Steel is facing the business end of the competition with just three specialist shooters.
Dehn was in the crowd at the Steel's match last night.
