Last night, a couple of grumpy people watching the rugby were in a huff because two women kissed on their sacred North Sydney Oval pitch, just absolutely demolishing all the sport. Oh, the horror.
The kiss happened between the Blues’ Vanessa Foliaki and Queenslander Karina Brown. The couple have been together since 2014 after they were both selected to play for our women’s national rugby team, Jillaroos.
More than a million punters tuned into the first-ever Women’s State of Origin marking a historic event in women’s sport and even though the Blues came up on top, love was clearly the winner.
To celebrate the historic event, the NRL posted a picture of the couple kissing to their Facebook page.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, the photo attracted some backlash with one commenter by the name of Matt complaining their would be “public outrage if two blokes kissed exactly like that after an Origin. Keep that crap to the dressing shed or at home.” Matt went onto say he wasn’t being judgemental or discriminatory and was just looking out for the sport and you know, “there may be young girls coming through put off by this.”
NRL simply replied:
“Hey Matt, welcome to 2018… can’t wait for you to join us!”
Another viewer named Kaleb wrote, “Already sexualising the women’s league, one step forward three steps back.”
Okay…
Again, NRL was having none of it and replied:
“If we can post a [picture] of Cooper Cronk and his wife Tara kissing, then we can share a photo of Karina Brown and Ness Foliaki sharing a moment too [thumbs up].”
Whoever does the social media for NRL’s simply a legend.
For the most part though, the pic was positively received across the NRL’s social media because after all, it is just a photo of players celebrating post-match.
Speaking to NRL.com, Foliaki said their rugby league family has always been supportive of their relationship.
“Being a part of the Jillaroos and how open everyone was to our relationship helped a lot.
“I think it’s more accepted now and the Jillaroos make it feel like home. The coaching staff are supportive. We’re feeling all the love.”
Although, this doesn’t mean the two aren’t extremely competitive. Before clashes, Foliaki shared how Brown would block her number in order to concentrate on the match – and the match only.
Per the Sydney Morning Herald, more than 839,000 viewers tuned into the event on Channel 9 while 171, 000 people caught it on Fox and mates, it was an entertaining match.
JOIZES.
The Women’s NRL Premiership will debut later this year with the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, and New Zealand Warriors taking the field
.
