All Black hooker Andrew Hore has not signed any contract to come south and any decision to try to attract him home will lie with new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.
There has been speculation Hore is eying a move south, possibly to be Joseph's captain next season.
Joseph said last week he knew nothing of Hore coming to the franchise, while Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid said he had heard talk abut Hore returning south but, as far as he was concerned, that was all it was.
No contract had been offered to Hore.
Hore (31) has family connections with Otago and has a farm in the Maniototo. He is currently off the field, recovering from a shoulder injury, but may be back for the All Black end-of-year tour.
Reid said with franchise direct contracting being introduced next season, more players would be moving around the country. Players would no longer play for a province to become eligible for a franchise.
Reid said Joseph would make decisions on players when he started his job later this month.
Hore may find it tough to leave the Hurricanes, having been appointed captain of the side last season. If he continues in the capital he could bring up 100 caps for the franchise next season.
Under the new direct franchising model, players can now pick a franchise no matter for which province they play.
It is already happening with the loan-back schemes but under direct franchising will be more common.
Bay of Plenty loose forward Luke Braid has signed for the Blues but will continue to play for Bay of Plenty.
