Viral sensation Bronson Xerri to make NRL debut in front of huge contingent of family and friends
His video has taken the NRL world by storm, and been viewed more than half a million times — and now Bronson Xerri will have a huge contingent of fans in the stands as he makes his Cronulla Sharks debut.
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The good news?
Teresa Xerri got the 30 tickets.
The bad news?
“There’s 50 of us going now,’’ the proud mother of Cronulla’s rising star Bronson Xerri told The Saturday Telegraph.
“There could be even a few more.’’
Which is hardly surprising.
At last count, the behind-the-scenes video and moment 18-year-old Xerri phoned his mum last Tuesday to reveal he was making his NRL debut against Parramatta tonight had been viewed by more than half a million people.
That’s a lot of extra friends.
Combined, through the Cronulla Sharks website, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook social media channels, the Xerri video has generated a staggering 648,217 views.
Never before in the Sharks’ history has a single piece of website content captivated fans more than what the uplifting five-minute video managed to achieve.
Indeed, 43 per cent of people who viewed the video through the Sharks’ Instagram account weren’t Cronulla supporters.
A hidden camera set-up by Cronulla’s digital content producer Jessica Ciccia inside Sharks coach John Morris’ office captured the moment Xerri was told his boyhood dream had been achieved.
It was proof that a small selection of coaches, including Morris, are willing to open their doors to their fans and sponsors.
Visibly shaken, the outstanding teenage talent and Sharks local junior broke down in tears for the world to see when Morris said “you’re in”.
Xerri was then taken to his locker inside the Cronulla dressing room to phone his mother with the news.
Teresa quipped: “How many tickets can you get? Tell them we need about 30.”
Every major news channel ran with the video on their evening news bulletin.
“I was at work when he called me, he doesn’t normally call me at work, so it threw me a little bit,’’ Teresa said.
“I was — and we all are — just so proud. But it’s been a little bit overwhelming.
“A lot of the mums have been coming up to me and congratulating me and saying as a mother, I know how you feel and all the emotions that you’re going through.
“I was very proud he showed that emotion (in the video).
“Do you know how many mothers said how humble he is and they said well done for raising him with humility, that was so nice.’’
A former Aquinas Colts junior teammate of fellow Sharks rookies Kyle Flanagan and the Brailey brothers, Blayke and Jayden, Xerri’s selection at right-centre tonight opposite former Test ace Michael Jennings is also historic.
Xerri will become the youngest Sharks debutant since Matthew Wright made his debut at the same age in 2009.
“Those numbers you’re telling me are amazing,’’ Teresa said.
“It’s such an emotional time. He’s got so much support coming to the game, grandparents, a uncles, aunties, cousins and his two brothers who were very good footballers too.
“As a mother, I always thought that he would make it, but I didn’t think this soon.
“At 18, I didn’t think he’d be making his debut.
“I can tell you now there’ll be a few tears shed when he runs on that field.
“But he’s ready. We know he’s ready.’’
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