Furious Today host Ally Langdon slams Manly pride boycott as it’s revealed Ian Roberts wept at game

Today show co-host Ally Langdon has lashed out at seven Sea Eagles players for boycotting a crucial match because they refused to wear the club’s rainbow pride jersey. 

Stars Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley stood themselves down from the clash with the Roosters because the strip went against their religious and cultural beliefs.   

‘You have to respect them for taking the stand that they did, that is their belief,’ she said on Friday morning.

‘But when they then turn around and say we’re going to take part next year – I was filthy.

‘I’m a Manly supporter, right, but I was filthy that they didn’t run out last night and they didn’t put the team first.’

Manly fan Allison Langdon didn’t hold back when she launched into the seven stars who refused to play for the club on Thursday night  

Media personality Gus Worland also told the show that Manly hardman Ian Roberts – rugby league’s first openly gay player – wept uncontrollably when his former club took to the field wearing the controversial jersey on Thursday night.

The Sydney Roosters ultimately won the inaugural Gotcha 4 Life Cup 20-10, but seeing his old team run out in the strip meant an incredible amount to Roberts, who sat beside Worland for the occasion. 

Fans arrive for the Manly Sea Eagles pride game with rainbows to show their support 

Gus Worland (pictured left with the pre-game banner) told Today that Manly legend Ian Roberts couldn’t hold back tears of pride as his old club played in the rainbow strip

Worland said the night had been hugely emotional – especially for his good friend Roberts. 

‘I sat there with Ian Roberts, we cuddled and cried, and I said ‘We can do good with that money.’ That’s what it’s all about,’ he said.

‘Ian Roberts is such a star and I love him and he was crying uncontrollably at some stages last night. This is such a big move. The conversation has been started.’  

Worland, the founder of suicide prevention non-profit organisation Gotcha 4 Life, said the match raised significant funds that will go back into the community to help those that are battling. 

‘I lost a friend of mine to suicide and I just don’t want anyone else to go through the same thing,’ he told the Matty Johns Show after the match.

Ian Roberts (pictured playing for Manly) became a footy icon as the first openly gay player in the history of rugby league

‘We lose way too many people every single day in this country so that’s why I started Gotcha 4 Life. 

‘Tonight, $300,000 before the jersey auctions, I’m assuming those jerseys, those Manly ones, might go for higher than normal, so I am thinking maybe somewhere between $375,000 and $400,000.

‘Which will then go back into the community to build mental fitness, to give people that emotional muscle to put their hand up and say I need some help.’

Balmain Tigers legend Ben Elias told Langdon he backed her fury over the boycotting players ‘one million per cent’.

‘It really has put the Manly side … if you look at it from a professional point of view and what Manly are all about, they needed to win last night,’ he said.

‘They were at [home ground 4 Pines Park], if they had a strong side they would have had a much better chance.

‘It was a game that they needed to win and I just think now Manly will suffer drastically for the rest of the season. I don’t think they’ll make the top eight.

‘The ripple effect of what those seven players did last night will be a long-term effect for the club itself. I just think you will see a lot of weaknesses in the club.’

Ally replied: ‘That’s what my fear here is, everyone is painting a picture of it, that it’s fine and we respect everyone’s opinion.

‘But when you run out onto that field every week together and you slog it out and it is a team sport and you work so hard, when that game was so critical, that’s the part that I found disappointing.

‘However, it has started an incredibly important conversation.’   

Elias said the match helped bring people together to support a unified cause.

‘We’ve seen now the politicians talking about pride and equality and it’s fantastic, love is love,’ he said.

‘We’ve all come together. Last night was a great joy for the people that are following the game of rugby league.

‘It has brought a very, very strong message out there into the community.’

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 or call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.