Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson condemns ‘unacceptable’ pride jersey boycott

A rival NRL coach has taken aim at the handful of Manly Sea Eagles players over their decision to boycott the club’s one-off pride jersey.

Trent Robinson goes off on Manly

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has weighed in on the Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey saga and sent a strong message to the players who stood down.

Robinson’s team will take on the decimated Sea Eagles squad on Thursday night after seven players stood down after the club unveiled a pride jersey as a one-off for the round 20 clash.

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Dealing with the player revolt fallout, the club scrambled to piece together a line-up for the first game of round 20.

Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley were reportedly opposed to wearing the jersey due to religious beliefs.

Manly coach Des Hasler fronted the media on Tuesday and said the intent behind the pride jersey was to “support the advocacy and human rights pertaining to gender, race culture, ability and LGBTQ movements”.

On Wednesday, Robinson weighed in on the scandal and conveyed his dismay this was an issue in 2022.

“It is great what the owners of Manly have decided to do and it is unfortunate that it has panned out this way because everyone is equal, no matter what race, gender, sexual preference, everyone is equal,” Robinson said.

“Let people make their choice and let’s not discriminate against those, and we are still doing that, and that is why it is unfortunate.

“We have got Gotcha4Life, that both teams [are supporting] … sponsors have given up their space for Gotcha4Life.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Pic: Must credit Roosters Digital

“We are really looking forward to representing, and talking about even just male suicide and the high rate that it is.

“But in the youth gay community it is five times the level of what normal society is, that is because they don’t feel included.

“And for us in 2022 to not be inclusive and not say it is OK to be who you are is unacceptable

“We need to move towards a better place … I want to say that we are inclusive, we do accept you for who you are and we care about you, and we need to move forward in that way.”

Robinson was asked if his own team would wear a pride jersey, he revealed he had spoken with his own playing group in depth about the matter.

“Definitely … because we need to move forward, that is my personal view,” he said.

“I have talked to my players about it, we have talked about it openly.

“Because we have a job to do, we want to play a Roosters style of footy and dominate tomorrow night, but whether we like it or not we do have sponsors on jerseys, we do have things on jerseys that we represent.

“And you know that is a decision for clubs and the game to make, but my personal opinion I am about equality, and I want people to feel like they are cared for, and loved, and have a place no matter what their sexual preference.”

Robinson wasn’t happy. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Robinson compared the outrage this week to what might have occurred years ago with other minority groups that are now rightfully accepted.

“This is not about rugby league, this is a snapshot that highlighted a wider rugby league issue, this is a societal issue that has been highlighted by our sport and other sports around the world,” he said.

“It is still an issue.

“If someone said they weren’t going to wear the indigenous jersey, there would have been an outcry.

“40 years ago, that would have been the case, 80 years ago we wouldn’t have had Women in League round, we have moved on those front, we haven’t moved on this.

“We want to dominate a game tomorrow but we need to be inclusive as a human race, no one is better than anyone else.

“There is a lot of work to be done still.”