Paulo has been ruled out for several months with a serious knee injury © Getty Images

Canterbury hooker Ti'i Paulo has been ruled out for the rest of the Air NZ Cup rugby season and the next Super 14 season after seriously injuring his left knee late in Friday night's quarterfinal victory against Tasman.

Paulo, who came on as a replacement for Corey Flynn in the 58th minute, ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and suffered a meniscal tear just before fulltime.

Paulo, 25, will see a surgeon on Friday and will have an operation possibly next week.

" This is a terrible shame for Ti'i." coach Rob Penney said.

"He has played a big part in getting us to this weekend's semifinal, both on and off the field, and for him not to be able to play a part in it is a massive disappointment for the whole group."

Canterbury will play Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Saturday night in the second Air NZ Cup semifinal. Wellington host Southland on Friday night.

Referee Steve Walsh will control the match between Wellington and Southland in the capital on Friday night.

Twenty-four hours laterBryce Lawrence will officiate in the other semifinal, between Canterbury and Hawke's Bay in Christchurch.

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