Two Manly stars who controversially refused to wear a shirt supporting the pride movement have broken their silence on the saga.
In July, Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley all withdrew from the Sea Eagles' clash with the Sydney Roosters. Their stance followed the eight-time NRL Premiership winners unveiling jerseys with rainbow colours, to "celebrate inclusiveness."
Manly coach Des Hasler later said he backed the decision of the players, who had withdrawn on religious grounds. Former player Ian Roberts, the first rugby league star to publicly come out as gay in 1995, also insisted he respected the choice of those involved.
But their actions received intense criticism from LGBTQ+ groups, with another gay player in Keegan Hirst accusing the players of 'homophobia'. But now Olakau'atu and teammate Koula have publicly defended their actions, and spoken of the need to 'move on' from the furore.
"I don't know what else to say. I hope everyone just respects our decision and moves on," 24-year-old Olakau'atu told Sydney's Daily Telegraph after training with Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup in England. "My faith comes first before anything. It is who I am."
Coach Hasler later admitted the players weren't consulted over the jersey, but Olakau'atu, 24, said he spoke with his parents before making his decision: "They said just to follow my heart. It made it 10 times easier, especially growing up in a religious family," he said.
With a depleted side, Manly went down 20-10 to the Roosters, sparking a run of six consecutive losses to ensure the Sea Eagles missed out on the playoffs. But Koula, 20, rejected the notion the controversy has disrupted team cohesion.
"There was some hate out there, but I tried not to pay too much attention to it," he said. "There was never (a divide). I think everything that happened brought everyone closer to each other. We all had each other's backs."
The two stars are currently in England with their country, as Tonga opened their World Cup campaign with a 24-18 win over Papa New Guinea. They next play Wales in St Helens on Monday.
