Cronulla Sharks star Toby Rudolf has thrown his support behind calls for the NRL to introduce a pride round, while also opening up about his own sexuality in the wake of the Manly jersey drama.
Last night, a depleted Manly Sea Eagles fell 20-10 to the Sydney Roosters after seven of their club’s players boycotted the clash.
Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley refused to don the pride-supporting Manly jersey that featured a few rainbow stripes.
They cited their cultural and religious beliefs as the reason behind their boycott.
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Their decision caused an uproar among the NRL community, however, it has led to Rudolf shining a positive light on love and his own sexuality, while pushing the NRL to get involved with a pride round to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
He told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I haven’t got caught up in the Manly situation. 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.
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“I’m not a one-stop shop. Love is love, and I love to share it with everyone.
“That’s probably why I love going to all the gay bars in Sydney as well - I love dancing with my shirt off and getting down Universal on Oxford St until 2 am.
“You could say I’m open to both genders but only attracted to one of them.”
There's a reason why the Sharks star has quickly emerged as one of the most-likeable characters in rugby league.
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Huge kudos to Toby Rudolf.
The 26-year-old was embroiled in a tidbit of controversy at the start of last year when he was asked by Fox League what he was planning on doing to celebrate following a win.
He joked that he’d drink ‘probably about 1000 beers’, and added that he would ‘go to Northies, try and pull something. Anything will do.’
At the time he was warned about showing ‘respect for women’ by NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, however, the 26-year-old says: “At the time of that interview I never said ‘women’.”
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ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys revealed the NRL was considering launching a pride round earlier this week, noting that it could start as soon as next year.
He told reporters: “We are very proud that we are a game for everybody.
“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.”
Featured Image Credit: NRL/Supplied.Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League, Cronulla Sharks
