Three Sea Eagles players 'changed heart' as big club left to crumble over boycott
Three Manly players are said to have “changed their hearts” and are considering wearing the club’s pride jersey.
Initially, seven players withdrew from selection for Thursday’s game against the Roosters over the club’s decision to wear the LGBTQIA kit.
Speaking on Sunrise Channel 7, Michelle Bishop explained that “at least” the three are now reconsidering their actions.
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“Of the seven players who refused to wear the jersey, at least three have now changed their minds slightly and are considering wearing the shirt of pride for the upcoming rounds,” Bishop said.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley all initially withdrew according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Sea Eagles are set to become the first club in NRL history to wear an LGBTQIA kit, but they will do so without players objecting to religious and cultural reasons.
They boycotted shows of support for diversity and inclusivity. LGBTQIA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual.
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Several Manly players posed in jerseys titled “everyone in the league” on Monday, with the rainbow colors replacing the traditional white stripe.
Sean Keppie, Kieran Foran and Reuben Garrick all smiled for photos on the jersey but some of their teammates were not happy, calling the club on Monday when they first found out.
Disgruntled players claim they were not consulted by the club before they announced the historic strip would be worn this week.
Coach Manly Des Hasler reportedly told the players he would support the decision, “understanding the difficult position the players have been in as a result of the club not consulting with them about the jersey” according to SMH.
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The club held an emergency meeting from Tuesday to Monday night to try and fix a horrendous issue in a game that was critical to their final aspirations.
Sea Eagles great Ian Roberts, the first rugby league player to admit to being gay, is looking forward to attending this Thursday’s game.
“I tried to look at it from all perspectives, but it broke my heart,” Roberts told The Daily Telegraph.
“It’s sad and uncomfortable. As an older gay man, this is not uncommon. I wonder if there will be a religious push. That’s why I think the NRL never had a Pride round.”
“I can promise you every young person on the north coast who is dealing with their sexuality will hear about this.”
The defeat would damage the Sea Eagles’ chances of reaching the final, as they sit ninth and face eighth-placed Roosters on Thursday.
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