Romahapa School, 13km south of Balclutha in South Otago, is such a strong supporter of the Highlanders that the school was painted in blue, gold and maroon colours in 2005.
So, while ODT poll results yesterday showed about 11% favoured the new green jersey - and the remaining 89% were against it - the school's 34 pupils were unequivocal. Not one child wanted to see their rugby heroes in green jerseys.
"It looks like snot," James Witt (10) snorted.
"They'll end up being called the `Green Boogers'," Louise Thorn (12) laughed.
"They look like silage traps. Or green baleage," Dalley Burnside (8) said.
"They're going to look like they're seasick," Cody Kinraid (11) added.
The school is so rugby-focused it has a themed water tank featuring its teachers in Highlander jerseys, painted by artist Norman Sinclair, and even the trampoline has a provincial bias.
Logan Pettitt (12) said he had been a Highlanders fan "for years".
"I go to pretty much all the games at Carisbrook and it won't be the same if they wear green. They'll be camouflaged into the grass," he said.
Other pupils were equally concerned about the effect on their principal, Mark Preddy, who regularly wears Highlanders colours and merchandise to school.
"Mr Preddy will have to change his whole wardrobe," Taylor Burnside (12) said.
"Blue, gold and maroon are his main colours." So, while the Highlanders board might consider the matter done and dusted, there is a little school in South Otago that won't be changing its colours any time soon.
