The much-awaited rugby match of the National Rugby League (NRL) between Australia’s Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters faced a disturbing fate recently. A bunch of players refused to wear the new jersey unveiled by the club. But what exactly was wrong with the jersey?
The club has altered its jersey to show support for LGBTQ+ which didn’t sit well with many players. Sources have confirmed that the Hollywood stars Chris Hemsworth and Hugh Jackman’s involvement was significant in this whole controversy. So, what was all the drama?
What Is This Huge Drama Regarding Jersey?
Thursday’s clash between the Manly and Sydney Roosters took a completely different turn when seven Manly players took a sudden step of boycotting the match. The reason for this was their jersey featuring rainbow stripes in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The Sydney-based Sea Eagles announced on Monday the team would wear the pride jersey, which replaces the team’s white stripes with rainbow bands for the next match.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula, and Toafofoa Sipley are the players who protested against donning the jersey due to their “religious and cultural” beliefs.
“We accept their decision,” coach Des Hasler told reporters on Tuesday. “These young men are strong in their beliefs and their convictions and we will give them the space and the support they require.”
Former Manly great Ian Roberts, the first professional rugby league player to come out as gay, said the players’ stance was “sad and uncomfortable.”
“I can promise you every young kid on the northern beaches (of Sydney) who is dealing with their sexuality would have heard about this,” he told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.
How Chris Hemsworth And Hugh Jackman Fit Into This Controversy?
Amid this ongoing debacle, new reports have revealed that Australian actors Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth knew about the jersey long before the players did. Being a die hard fan of Manly, The Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman proudly donned the pride jersey that he received two weeks ago, to promote Thursday night’s blockbuster.
“Jackman posed for the photo as a favor to his great mate Sydney radio star Gus Worland to help promote the inaugural Gotcha4Life Cup,” The Australian reported.
On the other side, Thor actor Chris Hemsworth also received a jersey which was to tempt him to attend the big match as a special guest of Sea Eagles legend Ian Roberts.
Although all of the seven players who opposed wearing the jersey cleared out that they did not have any clue about this and only got to know on Monday.
