NRLW star Karina Brown details her anger over the Manly pride jersey scandal

Karina Brown, who made headlines for her post Origin on-field kiss, has revealed her anger at the players boycotting the pride jersey.

Karina Brown (right) angered by the Manly boycott. Pics Adam Head

NRLW player Karina Brown has detailed her anger at the Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey boycott after seven players refused to wear it.

Brown, went viral in 2018 after kissing her then girlfriend Vanessa Foliaki after a State of Origin match, was left “frustrated” by the players’ stance.

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Brown spoke about the scandal on the ‘On Her Game’ podcast when she spoke with host Sam Squiers, revealing she was gobsmacked by the move.

“It did trigger me, if I’m honest. I felt enraged and frustrated and then I decided to dig a bit deeper and find out the whole story … when I dug deeper I realised it’s not even a pride jersey which makes it even worse.

“This jersey is for everyone in league … whether you love someone of the same sex or whether you love Jesus Christ it says there’s a place for you in rugby league.

“To get upset about a jersey with a few extra colours, on the piping … I was astounded that was a stance that some players have taken.

“It’s just constantly frustrating.

“Because yes we are becoming more of a woke society.

“And the next generation they’ve got more of an open mind and open hearts.

“People are realising that discrimination is so hurtful in society and we’re trying to do something about it.

“It’s frustrating it still exists.’’

Karina Brown and Vanessa Foliaki.

The photo of Brown and Foliaki kissing after the 2018 State of Origin clash was met with disdain from fans, one claiming it was a “bad move” by the NRL. The NRL responded to the comment with: “Welcome to 2018 … can’t wait for you to join us!”

Brown in the days after the post went viral spoke about her hopes for the sport that one day, an image like the one above would just simply be considered normal.

“I think it was good for the world to see, to show how far we’ve come as a society. Yet also to show that we’ve still got some way to go. Not all the feedback was positive,” she wrote in a column for the Players Voice.

“For some people, it’s still a shock. I guess the more we can get it out there, that it’s OK to be who you are, it won’t be a shock anymore. It’ll just be normal. It is normal.

“I look forward to the day where my moment with Vanessa is just a regular post-match photo. And I don’t think we’re far off it.”

Foliaki and Brown share a moment. Pics Adam Head

The seven players boycotting the pride jersey went a step further on Wednesday when it was announced they wouldn’t be in attendance at the Thursday night game against the Sydney Roosters.

Manly officials excused the players from attending after speaking with players and the club’s security provider.

Former NRL star Jordan Kahu unloaded over the seven Manly players stance, condemning them for their actions in a move that could have an impact on the next generation.

Kahu’s scathing criticism comes hot on the heels of Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson blasting the boycott.