Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says he's determined not to let the Terry Campese's future at the club become a "soap opera", but he has refused to guarantee the captain's ongoing selection in the NRL.
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Stuart denied the club was trying to "push" Campese out of the Raiders, but admitted form would determine whether the 30-year-old plays out his final contracted year for Canberra in the NSW Cup in 2015.
Stuart said both the club and Campese were "embarrassed" by media reports in recent days that the Raiders had blocked a potential three-year deal mid-season for Campese to join Hull FC in the UK Super League.
It's understood the Raiders met mid-season with Campese's manager Jim Banaghan to negotiate a potential release, but they couldn't agree on a payout given Campese is on a rich contract at Canberra until the end of next year.
Stuart claimed details in the media were reported "wrongly" and hinted the story was "planted" by Campese's management.
"It made everybody feel embarrassed," Stuart told ABC radio. "It won't become a soap opera, it'll be handled professionally and decently. All along I've been trying to protect Terry and look after Terry's interests.
"I've been very upfront with Terry, Terry knows exactly where I stand and where he stands ... Terry knows he only has to come and talk to me to get the truth."
Speaking exclusively to Fairfax Media, Campese has told Fairfax Media he intends to see out the final year of his contract at Canberra and is prepared to play reserve grade if his form warrants it.
Asked if Campese would be demoted to NSW Cup, Stuart said: "That's not my decision, that comes down to form."
Stuart added: "Terry's got a year on his contract, it's there in writing. It's not a matter of us trying to push Terry out ... Terry's welcome."
Campese's immediate playing future could be determined as early as next week, when he is due to return from an abdominal injury. The Raiders have shifted Brisbane Broncos-bound fullback Anthony Milford to the halves in Campese's place.
Stuart did not hide his frustration at how the story was potentially leaked to media.
"I spoke to Terry two weeks ago and it was only myself, Terry, [Raiders chief executive] Donny Furner and his manager Jim Banaghan who knew what was going on ... myself, Donny and Terry didn't put that in the paper," Stuart said.
