Blockbusting wing Julian Savea is not returning to Wellington to play for the Hurricanes next season.
Former Hurricanes outside back Cory Jane, who is renowned for being a joker, got the hopes of some fans up on Saturday.
With the five Kiwi franchises set to reveal their final few signings on Tuesday night, Jane seized on the opportunity to prank fans into thinking Savea, who played 116 games for the Canes between 2011-2018, was leaving Toulon and returning home.
"Gotta let the cat out of the bag but can't wait to see you (@juliansavea7) back with the Canes this season," he tweeted.
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee has confirmed to Stuff there was no truth to Jane's tweet, calling the Wellington assistant coach a "comedian".
But some social media users took Jane's tweet hook, line and sinker.
Next season will mark the first in the post Beauden Barrett era, after the All Blacks playmaker opted to leave the Hurricanes and move to Auckland with his wife. He will play for the Blues in the second half of 2020, after taking an extended off-season.
The Blues on Sunday confirmed they had signed three-test England centre Joe Marchant for the 2020 season, while the Chiefs confirmed the worst kept secret that first-five eighth Aaron Cruden was returning.
Most roster spots across the five teams have already been accounted for, with the final spots revealed each year usually filled by young players who impressed during the Mitre 10 Cup.