Puletua: Islanders are not anti-gay
ONE of the NRL’S most powerful Polynesian voices insists Pacific Islanders are not homophobic and has appealed for the boycotting Sea Eagles players to change their minds.
Polynesian leader Frank Puletua, the NRL’S international strategy chief, has expressed his heartbreak at the pride-jersey fiasco that has marred Manly’s clash against the Roosters at Brookvale on Thursday night.
The Sea Eagles and the NRL have been rocked by revelations seven Manly players – Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula, Christian Tuipulotu and Toafofoa Sipley – will refuse to play against the Roosters.
The Polynesian contingent have informed Manly management they will not wear the Sea Eagles’ historic, rainbowthemed strip – supporting the LGBTQ community – on religious grounds.
The flashpoint comes three years after former NRL and Wallabies star Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia for posting anti-gay comments that divided the sport.
Puletua, a veteran of 211 NRL games who featured in Penrith’s premiership win in 2003, is one of the most respected Polynesian leaders in Australian sport and expressed shock at the decision by Manly’s islander group to reject the pride jumper.
“This is disappointing for me because a vast majority of the boys who made this decision are Polynesian,” said Puletua, who is of Samoan descent.
“It’s quite disappointing to see it has created this much conflict. I actually love the idea of a pride jumper. It’s fantastic.
“If more clubs wanted to support a similar stance and explicitly showcase how we support the LGBTQ community, I’m all for it.
“There is no other way forward for us as a society but to embrace all diversity.
“I think it would be great if the guys involved changed their minds and played and wore the jumper.”
Puletua scoffed at any suggestions that Pacific Islanders, notably those contracted to NRL clubs, are anti-gay.
“I don’t believe homophobia is ingrained in Polynesian culture and it’s not something that is intrinsic in Pacific culture, put it that way,” he said.
“We actually have a strong gay element in Polynesian communities.
“That’s where the disappointment is for me.
“What we have seen in recent times is the result of a lack of awareness and a lack of engagement from some communities, including my own.
“It’s quite disappointing and disheartening that we, as Polynesians, haven’t been able to make that progress and advance the players and our communities in that way.”