One man's speculation turned into two clubs' denials yesterday, as two Central Otago powers distanced themselves from talk of breaking away from the Otago union.
Blogger Paddy Lewis claimed there was speculation Wakatipu and Arrowtown wanted to play senior rugby in Southland this season.
The timing is interesting, given the Otago Rugby Football Union's state of crisis.
It also echoes the drama of 2004, when Wakatipu - at the time the dominant club in Otago Country - tried to join the Southland competition.
The rebel club's bid was turned down by the Otago Country board, then by the ORFU, then by the New Zealand Rugby Union.
At the time, Wakatipu argued its players would face less arduous travel requirements, and get more representative opportunities, if the club crossed the border.
Neither argument really stacks up now. Country clubs only face one or two sizeable road trips. And while Country players like Blair Young and James Kenny have had Otago opportunities in recent seasons, the odds would be long on similar players getting a chance with a powerful Ranfurly Shield-winning Southland squad.
Wakatipu president Damien O'Connell said his club was definitely staying in the Central Otago competition.
The issue of whether the Queenstown-based club might be better suited to the Southland competition had been discussed "passingly" but not at any formal level.
Nevertheless, O'Connell could not rule out the prospect of a defection in the future.
"We wouldn't go as it is, because it would probably destroy Central Otago rugby. But you don't know what the future holds."
Arrowtown stalwart Hayden Finch was more explicit in his denial of the rumour.
"I don't know where that one's come from, absolutely not. We are true Otago boys," Finch said.
