Overview
- Xerri has been sent to the NSW Cup, with Enari Tuala preferred for Thursday night’s Round 3 match against the Raiders in Canberra.
- Coach Cameron Ciraldo voiced disappointment with Xerri’s initial reaction to being dropped and said the ball is in his court to force an NRL recall through reserve grade.
- Ciraldo said the call was driven by training and preparation factors as well as Xerri’s preseason shift from left to right centre to accommodate captain Stephen Crichton.
- Canterbury players wore “We before me” T‑shirts on the trip to Canberra as a public reminder of club-first standards after the episode leaked into the media.
- Ciraldo would not guarantee Xerri will see out his contract; no release has been requested, though reports indicate rival clubs are monitoring the situation.