Ranger close to becoming a father

Rene Ranger. Photo / APN

A third All Black is expected to become a first-time father in a matter of days, joining Ali Williams and Dan Carter whose partners have both given birth in the last week.

The partner of All Black and Blues' winger Rene Ranger is close to giving birth, the Blues' media manager James Rigby said.

It will make for an eventful time for the club, with Blues' captain Williams returning to training today only a day after becoming a dad.

His wife, Casey Williams, gave birth to a baby girl, Jessica Harriet, yesterday.

"Our baby girl has arrived ... weighing in at 7 lbs,'' Williams posted on his Twitter account, adding that both bub and Casey were "doing great''.

The pair have so far not released any photos of their new baby and it's understood they have signed a deal with a women's magazine.

Last week All Black playmaker Carter became a father for the first time. His wife and former Black Sticks' player Honor Carter gave birth to a baby boy, Marco James, on Thursday.

Honor tweeted a photo of their new son's hand and said he was "happy, healthy and handsome''.