New Zealand Rugby's decision not to include Dunedin in the All Blacks' homecoming tour feels like a kick in the face given the wave of euphoria sweeping the country after the team's stunning World Cup victory on Sunday.
Of course most towns and cities would no doubt like the All Blacks to visit, to have a chance to see the players, coaches and managers in the flesh, perhaps even to talk to them briefly, to see the Webb Ellis Cup, and to express their admiration.
The main centres should rightly get a visit - if only because they are home to the bulk of the population - so few would dispute the celebrations confirmed for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
But Dunedin's omission seems unfair for various reasons.
Why do South Islanders only get one occasion to celebrate their heroes? Surely it is not only about the numbers, but also about the access and opportunity?
Many people could have been expected to travel from the far south or Central Otago to a Dunedin parade, after all.
NZ Rugby says the players need to get back to their families after such a long time away.
No fans could fail to understand that.
The team left New Zealand in mid-September.
It has been a gruelling two months, and players and management deserve to see their friends and families and celebrate personally with them.
But from media soundbites with the players, it appears they are keen to connect with their fans, too.
Some have said the history-making World Cup victory (consecutive wins and a total of three titles) won't really sink in until they return and experience the home-crowd reception.
The public desperately wants a chance to connect with its real-life heroes - for there is no doubt the All Blacks are viewed as such by many.
Surely there are obligations on the team and management to give back to the fans, the foundation of their success, who spend money at, and getting to, games, buy merchandise, and are often on the sidelines supporting future and current All Blacks at provincial and franchise level, too.
If the time commitment was the major issue, a visit to Dunedin could surely have been arranged for the same day as the Christchurch celebration.
Perhaps the visit of Prince Charles and Camilla the same day was a complicating factor, although John Key has suggested the Royal couple may even join the team for one of the celebratory parades.
The All Blacks' connections with the South could not be stronger.
Captain Richie McCaw hails from Kurow, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa play with the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition, coach Steve Hansen hails from Mosgiel (and even assistant coach Ian Foster spent a year at The Taieri High School).
We are current Super rugby champions. Dunedin ratepayers forked out for a covered stadium, built in time for the previous New Zealand-hosted Rugby World Cup, with NZ Rugby benefiting from ticket sales (and of course the ORFU benefited from a ratepayer bail-out, too).
The South surely deserves a share of the latest rewards.
There seems no small irony we can hurriedly draft and pass legislation allowing patrons the opportunity to have a beer in hand to watch the game at their local pub, but can't give fans of all ages a relatively simple street parade in all the main centres.
The nation has watched a beaming prime minister have his (taxpayer-funded) fan time in the All Blacks' dressing room; what a shame southerners can't come close.
As shown at the America's Cup and Super rugby parades, southerners will turn up in droves to congratulate those they deem sporting ''royalty''.
We will get the ''real deal'' tomorrow, however - although it remains to be seen whether Prince Charles and Camilla have the pulling power potential of our world champions.
