New Zealand Rugby and the Sydney Roosters have rubbished a report saying Sonny Bill Williams, the incumbent All Blacks second-five, is heading back to Sydney to play for the Roosters in the NRL.
A spokesman said he didn't want to give oxygen to a story that was patently wrong, and that's probably not a big surprise.
It was also a surprise to Roosters chairman Nick Politis.
Assuming they're talking about the Blues, that means that Williams would have to be released from his New Zealand Rugby contract, which runs through to 2019, or given a sabbatical.
That's not the most implausible idea though - here's the kicker.
According to Smith, New Zealand Rugby have told Williams that, "He is not in their plans for the 2019 World Cup."
Ah, yes. New Zealand Rugby are ready to completely rule out one of their key players over a year out from the World Cup. Of course!
They must be ready to cut ties on a player who started 13 games for the All Blacks last year, and has been the obvious first-choice second-five ever since he returned from his Achilles injury.
