Sharks star Toby Rudolf opens up on sexuality, backs pride round

Cronulla Sharks star Toby Rudolf has called for an NRL pride round in the future and opened up on his “fluid” sexuality.

Cronulla Sharks forward Toby Rudolf has backed calls for an NRL pride round in the wake of Manly’s rainbow jersey furore.

The Sea Eagles donned the one-off jersey, which featured rainbow stripes and trim, in Thursday’s 10-point loss to the Roosters but seven of the club’s players boycotted the clash because of their religious and cultural beliefs.

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The Sea Eagles scraped together a 20-man squad for the match and turned in a respectable performance, falling 20-10 to their rivals as they jostle for a top eight position.

Rudolf has called for the introduction of a pride round across the NRL, speaking openly about his own “fluid” sexuality.

Although he identifies as heterosexual, Rudolf — who has emerged as a cult hero among Cronulla fans — told the Sydney Morning Herald in a revealing interview “love is love, and I love to share it with everyone”.

Toby Rudolf has opened up on his sexuality. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I haven’t got caught up in the Manly situation,” he said. “What I will say is I was raised by quite a few gay and lesbian community members. My uncle is gay and my godmother is gay, and there’s so much love in that community.

“Sexuality is very fluid. I’ve been out and kissed many gay men, kissed many straight women and kissed many gay women.

“I’m not a one-stop shop. Love is love, and I love to share it with everyone. You could say I’m open to both genders but only attracted to one of them.”

The biggest controversy of Rudolf’s career was his infamous live TV interview on Fox League where he said he’d celebrate a win with “probably about 1000 beers”, adding he would “go to (Cronulla bar) Northies, try and pull something. Anything will do”.

Rudolf was warned by NRL CEO Andrew Abdo over his comments, as he cited “respect for women”.

Speaking to the Herald, the 26-year-old said: “At the time of that interview I never said ‘women’.”

It comes as ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys revealed earlier this week the NRL was considering launching a pride round.

Fans show their pride. Photo: Tim Pascoe

The pride jersey. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Speaking at the Women in League Round launch, V’landys said it could start as soon as next year.

“Absolutely. We are very proud that we are a game for everybody,” V’landys said on Tuesday.

“That’s why I’m in this game, because I had a difficulty being accepted as a migrant and rugby league accepted me.

“It was inclusive back then and it is inclusive now. It’s important that every boy and girl and man and woman can go to the game and feel they can be treated the same as everyone else.”

Pushed further on whether it was a genuine possibility a pride round could be launched, V’landys said: “Absolutely. As I said, we are the greatest game for all; not just for a select few, but for all. We recognise those people, absolutely. I have no problem with that.”