New Otago prop Halani Aulika was named in two provincial squads last week but decided to head south.
Aulika was named in the Auckland squad last Monday and then on Friday was picked for the Otago ITM Cup squad.
But he opted to come south, the third prop named in the Otago squad alongside Kees Meeuws and Sam Hibbard.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said Otago had made Aulika an offer prior to the Tongan being named in the Auckland squad.
Though he was named in the Auckland squad he had not been given a contract so decided to come to Otago to play.
He arrived in Dunedin on Saturday and had started training with the squad.
Reid said unions had to be careful players were committed to the province before being named in a squad.
Aulika (26) played club rugby for Otahuhu and had never played for Auckland before.
Auckland coach Mark Anscombe said Aulika was picked as the fourth propping option in the squad, and with All Black John Afoa also likely to come into calculations, the union did not offer him a contract.
The union did not have any issue with Aulika moving south, saying it was a good move for Aulika to chase more playing time.
New Zealand Colts prop Angus Taavao-Matau has been added to the Auckland squad.
