The Manly Sea Eagles are within the highlight once more after three gamers who boycotted a recreation as a result of they refused to put on a rainbow-trimmed jersey on spiritual and ethical grounds confirmed assist for a convicted felony on the weekend.
Josh Aloiai, Haumole Olakau’atu and Josh Schuster have been three of seven gamers dubbed the “Manly Seven” who protested towards the pride-themed jerseys by standing themselves down for a vital recreation.
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The three at the moment are drawing the ire of the rugby league world as fans accuse them of double requirements of their public assist for former teammate Manase Fainu.
As Fainu was getting ready to go to jail for stabbing a Mormon church chief, all three of Aloiai, Olakau’atu and Schuster made gestures of assist for him throughout the Sea Eagles’ conflict with the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.
Oloakau’atu made the quantity “61” along with his fingers throughout a celebration of a attempt, which is a reference to Guildford’s postcode of 2161, the place he and Fainu grew up collectively.
Schuster had the initials “MF” written on his wrist, and even paid tribute to his “toko”, the Tongan phrase for sibling or brother, in an Instagram put up.
Aloiai additionally confirmed his assist on Instagram, posting a photograph of the pair posing collectively exterior court docket simply moments after Fainu was discovered responsible of the stabbing from 2019.
Fans have unleashed on the three NRL stars for his or her “pick and choose” assist of their good friend, however not of the membership’s pride jumper.
Fox League’s Paul Kent got here down onerous on the hypocrisy of the Sea Eagles gamers’ acts.
“What he has done here is a six, one, which I believe is a Guildford postcode, which is relation to where Manase Fainu is from. Then he has put the wrists together like he is in handcuffs, which is all in support of Manase Fainu,” Kent stated.
“Is it a protest or is it support? Because only a couple of weeks ago we were here on this show and particularly me defending the values of Olakau’atu and a few other players at that club for their stance with the pride jersey.
“I said whether you like it or not they follow a Christian faith and they are defending that faith.
“Here they are a fortnight later in support of a guy who is about to go to jail for stabbing a guy in a fight that was born out of a gang fight based on these postcodes.
“You can’t have it both ways with these guys.
“These guys just surrender every right to compassion and sympathy from a fortnight ago from what they have just done on the weekend. It is just so stupid.”
Simply days in the past, the Sea Eagles membership confirmed they might proceed to supply assist to Fainu.
Fainu has been topic to the NRL’s no-fault stand down coverage since October 2019, when he was charged with wounding Faamanu Levi with intent to trigger grievous bodily hurt.
Jurors on the District Court docket took simply over two hours to seek out Fainu responsible final Thursday, however his barrister Margaret Cunneen SC has indicated the decision will probably be appealed.
Fainu has not performed for the Sea Eagles because the 2019 finals collection, however coach Des Hasler and CEO Tony Mestrov reiterated their assist for the hooker on Friday.
“As we’ve done throughout this whole process, we’re going to support Manase in any way we can, particularly from a wellbeing point of view,” Mestrov stated.
Hasler stated the judicial course of had been “tough” on Fainu and his household.
“It’s been a three-year process and in that time all the support we’ve been able to give has been much needed,” he stated.
“It’s just a shock. It’s three years this has been going on for.
“It hasn’t been easy on him.”
After Fainu’s breakout 2019 season, the Sea Eagles opted to not renew the contract of premiership-winning hooker Apisai Koroisau and as a substitute recognized Fainu as their long-term No.9.
Fainu’s incapability to play ruined these plans with the Sea Eagles pressured to signal Danny Levi to cowl the place, earlier than turning to present hooker Lachlan Croker.
Koroisau has since gone on to play career-best soccer with Penrith, successful a premiership and incomes his first State of Origin cap in 2021.
“You call them sliding door moments. That’s just part of the way things transpire,” Hasler stated.
Hasler stated he couldn’t touch upon whether or not Fainu would play skilled rugby league once more.
“At the moment, that is still to be determined,” he stated.
“Regardless, the Fainu name will still have a very heavy involvement in the club. Until (the court proceedings) are determined, best leave it at that.”
– With AAP
