A report emanating in The Rugby Paper on Sunday morning caused quite a stir by claiming that 56 cap All Black Julian Savea could be on his way to play in England next season.
Despite managing 46 tries in international rugby Savea has fallen out of favour with Steve Hansen and the selection panel and the big winger was dropped before the start of this year's Rugby Championship, but it looks as though he will still be playing his rugby in his native New Zealand for the time being.
Savea took to Twitter to pour cold water on the idea that he was set to sign for English Premiership side Harlequins for next season in a big-money deal, which will come as a relief to wingers all over Europe.
After a different Rugby publication claimed that had also gotten wind of the potential deal, Savea labelled it as 'fake news'.
TRANSFER RUMOUR: We can second what is posted in TRP today about Julian Savea moving to Harlequins. We have been told he has already signed. pic.twitter.com/2ndt0SnNPS
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) October 29, 2017
Fake news guys https://t.co/GkcZEHghLR
— Julian Savea (@juliansavea7) October 29, 2017
Julian Savea's wife, Fatima, then left absolutely no doubt about the credibility of the rumour.
wtf? This is news to both Julian and I! #NotTrue #InNZTill2019 piss off with your rumours. https://t.co/uPF0NfX977
— Fatima Savea (@_timasavea) October 29, 2017
Harlequins fans are understandably upset, but this all serves as a reminder to wait for an official source before getting excited. The first place to break Simon Zebo's decision to leave Munster was MunsterRugby.ie, for example, so at the risk of rugby transfer rumours going the way of soccer, approach with caution.
Now, with that out of the way, Savea to Munster?
