Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey: Three players ‘backflip on decision to boycott match’

Three Manly players have reportedly changed their minds about boycotting Thursday’s game against the Roosters after originally deciding to refuse to wear the club’s rainbow-striped pride jersey because it goes against their religious and cultural beliefs.

Seven members of the team rocked the NRL when they decided to step down from the match over the jumper, which the Sea Eagles unveiled on Monday to promote inclusivity.

Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley had an emergency meeting with the club on Monday night and Channel Seven’s Sunrise program reported at least three of them are now considering backtracking and taking the field in the strip.

Manly players Sean Keppie (left), Kieran Foran (middle) and Reuben Garrick posed with the club’s Everyone in League jersey, which was unveiled on Monday

‘Of the seven players who are refusing to wear the jersey, at least three now have had a bit of a change of heart and are considering wearing the pride jersey for this upcoming round,’ reporter Michelle Bishop told viewers on Tuesday morning.

The seven players also said they weren’t consulted about the strip before it was launched by the Sea Eagles on Monday. It’s the first time an NRL side has decided to wear a uniform promoting the cause. 

Club legend Ian Roberts, who in 1995 was the first-ever rugby league player to come out as gay, said the embarrassing situation will be felt most by the area’s LGBTQI+ community.

‘I try to see it from all perspectives but this breaks my heart,’ Roberts told the Daily Telegraph.

‘It’s sad and uncomfortable. As an older gay man, this isn’t unfamiliar. I did wonder whether there would be any religious push back. That’s why I think the NRL have never had a Pride round.

Club legend Ian Roberts, the first rugby league player to come out as gay, said the split in the club ‘breaks my heart’

Manly coach Des Hasler had an emergency meeting with the seven players on Monday night – now three of them are reportedly having a change of heart about standing down

‘I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this.’

Monday night’s 90-minute meeting ended with coach Des Hasler telling the players he understood they were put in a difficult position and that he supported their decision not to play.

The jumper at the centre of the dispute features rainbow colours replacing the traditional white piping on the maroon background, making Manly the first NRL club to wear a pride jersey in rugby league’s 134-year history.

It was understood Monday night’s meeting floated the idea of the players who objected to the new design be allowed to wear the standard jersey instead, but NRL regulations stipulate all players must be wearing the same playing strip.

Hasler and captain Daly Cherry-Evans are due to front the media at midday on Tuesday to address the split in the team.