“If I ever get killed in a suspicious car accident, make sure you check out those guys at Southern Cross Cable," Rod Drury told NBR last year.

And that was when the Xero boss was merely making a few verbal jabs at the 50% Telecom-owned cable.

Now that Mr Drury has actually become part of a venture that plans to raise $900 million and compete head-to-head with Southern Cross ... well, Rod, just make sure you wear a crash helmet at all times, and look both ways before you cross the road.