Newby has already hinted he is looking at a move off-shore later this season and has been linked with powerful English club Leicester.
He would not tell the Otago Daily Times yesterday where he was intending to play but said the confirmation of Evans' move might help accelerate the process.
"There's no money at Harlequins now, I'd say," Newby joked when it was suggested he might join former team-mate and lodger Evans at the glamour English club.
"I haven't spoken to Snapper [Evans] for a few weeks but I know he felt he wanted to get his decision out of the way.
"I'm in a similar position. Whatever I decide won't be too far away from being out in the open."
All the Highlanders looked weary when they touched down at Dunedin Airport after the long flights from Africa and an overnight in Auckland.
Newby, the most experienced player in the squad, was sporting his own sets of scars and bruises as he was welcomed by wife Sally.
But he knew the trip home would have been worse had the Highlanders not beaten the Cheetahs at the weekend.
"Obviously it was good getting that win. It was pretty physical but you don't feel it so much when you win.
"I think we've been a pretty good touring side. We've got a lot of young guys but they took everything in their stride. It probably helped them grow a bit".
"We just look back on the season and know how good it would have been if we had won a couple of games earlier on."
The Highlanders now turn around to play the misfiring Blues at Carisbrook on Saturday night.
Newby is confident the Highlanders will not suffer the physical effects of their long road trip as they attempt to win their first game against New Zealand opposition in two years.
