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Manly Sea Eagles' players could boycott games over 'diversity' rainbow jersey

(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Manly’s inclusivity jersey has sold out online within 24 hours as the Sea Eagles face the prospect of several players boycotting a match over its design.

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Manly are expected to confirm on Tuesday that up to seven players will miss Thursday’s match with the Sydney Roosters, opting not to play in the jersey.

The issue could not have come at a worse time for Manly or coach Des Hasler, with the two teams either side of the top-eight dividing line.

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The Sea Eagles announced on Sunday night they would wear a rainbow design for the match, generally known for representing the LGBTQI community.

By Monday night the jersey had sold out on the club’s online store in all men’s and women’s sizes, with only junior versions of the strip available.

That comes despite the club’s popular retro Pepsi jersey from the 1990s and Community jersey, both of which have been worn in the past fortnight, still having some stock available for sale.

But the design has not proven as popular with members of the team.

The decision to wear the jersey has caused unrest among several players, who also claim they only learned of the strip on social media on Sunday night and were not previously consulted.

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Among the concerns for select players is uneasy questions that will arise within their culture or religion from wearing the jersey.

The issue prompted a lengthy meeting of Sea Eagles management on Monday night, where it was again requested that players wear the “Everyone in League” design.

However players have not agreed to do so, with up to seven set to sit out the match against the Roosters.

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Ian Roberts, who became the first rugby league player to come out as gay while playing for Manly in 1995, said the player revolt ‘breaks my heart.’

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The former Kangeroo and Sea Eagles star told Sydney’s 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 pushback. That’s why I think the NRL have never had a Pride round.”

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

Manly were already missing players ahead of the critical match against eighth-placed Roosters, who only head the Sea Eagles by for-and-against.

Ben Trbojevic is fighting to return from a concussion, while Sean Keppie hurt his shoulder in last week’s loss to St George Illawarra.

Tom Trbojevic, Brad Parker, Karl Lawton and Morgan Boyle are also injured, meaning Hasler will have to go out well outside his top 30 to name a 23-man squad.

The Sea Eagles then have difficult dates with Parramatta, Cronulla and Canberra on the run home.

Manly are the only club to wear a pride jersey this weekend, becoming the first team in the 114-year history of the competition to wear such a design.

Earlier this year, AFLW player Haneen Zreika chose to miss Pride Round rather than wear Greater Western Sydney’s pride guernsey, citing religious beliefs.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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