‘Brought us closer together’: Manly pair break silence on rainbow jersey saga

One of the seven Manly players who refused to play in the rainbow jersey has lauded Des Hasler’s support of his personal beliefs and believes the saga that played a role in the coach’s sacking has “brought all of us closer together”.

Toluta’u Koula, speaking from the Tongan World Cup camp in the UK alongside teammate Haumole Olakau’atu, said he found out about Hasler’s exit on social media after Manly’s season went into freefall when he and six teammates sat out round 20 on religious and cultural grounds .

The Sea Eagles did not win a game afterwards and the players have been kept away from the media since.

Hasler’s July press conference on the drama was lauded in many quarters, but viewed by club owners and management as shifting the blame onto them as the issue divided the club.

Neither Koula nor Olakau’atu were willing to expand on their decision to boycott the “Everyone in League” initiative alongside Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster and Toafofoa Sipley.

But Koula said that pivotal press conference and Hasler’s support of the seven players was typical of a coach who put his players above all else.

Hasler fronts a press conference with captain Daly Cherry-Evans after the launch of the rainbow jersey.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

“Des backing us boys in our decision was pretty special, just to know that he had our backs, that’s another reason why it’s so sad to see him go,” Koula said.

“He’s so loyal to us. Dessie will do anything for us boys and I’m sure all the boys will do anything for him, too. What happened happened, and I’m sure us as a seven will probably speak about it together.

“To be honest, I was surprised by [the furore], it made a lot of headlines. There’s not too much else I can say about it.”

Koula echoed the comments of Schuster on Nine News, denying regular suggestions the boycott had divided the team.

Haumole Olakau’atu and Toluta’u Koula.Credit: NRL Photos

“It’s been a roller coaster of a season, to say the least,” Koula said. “But I think with everything that’s happened, it’s brought all of us closer together. There’s been a lot of noise, the main thing was trying to block out that noise and not let it affect us. It was all pretty crazy.”

Olakau’atu said he had been in contact with Hasler since his exit. Anthony Seibold will be installed as Manly’s new coach once the terms of a three-year deal are sorted.

“I haven’t spoken to [Hasler] but I sent him a text after seeing everything that happened all over the socials,” the Tongan back-rower said.

“I just said I was gutted for him, sad that he was leaving and wishing him all the best.”

Olakau’atu declined to comment on suggestions the fallout had cost Hasler his job.

In the months following his withdrawal from the round 20 game, when Manly wore the controversial jersey, Olakau’atu banned himself from social media to get away from the spotlight.

Both he and Koula shape as pivotal figures in Tonga’s World Cup campaign, particularly the young fullback after he clocked up 239 running metres and a scintillating try-assist for Will Penisini against Papua New Guinea.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on back home, but we’re pretty far away from those distractions,” Koula said. “I’m just glad I’m playing footy at the moment and not having to worry about all that stuff.”

Seibold is not expected to take up the coaching post at Manly until after his commitments with Eddie Jones’ England rugby union side are wrapped up in mid-November.

Shane Flanagan has been in discussions with Seibold regarding an assistant role, as has ex-Titans assistant Jim Dymock.

There has been another change to the Manly brains trust after Kristie Fulton, the daughter of league Immortal Bob Fulton, parted company with the club. Kristie Fulton had overseen the Sea Eagles’ junior pathways, but has been moved on from the role. Her brothers, Scott and Brett Fulton, remain involved with the club in their respective roles in recruiting and as coach of the SG Ball side.

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