Super League to review whether players take a knee before future matches
SUPER League is set to weigh up today whether players will keep taking a knee before matches after several did not.
Israel Folau was joined by Catalans team-mates Sam Moa and Ben Jullien in standing for the 13 second period.
Warrington’s Sitaleki Akauola and Tom Lineham and Hull FC’s Ratu Naulago, Albert Kelly, Manu Ma’u and Jamie Shaul also stayed on their feet.
Religious reasons, particularly among those from Pacific island backgrounds – with the concept of only kneeling before God, are thought to be why they literally stood out.
Now the competition is set to review whether to keep on with the gesture after its first full weekend of matches since lockdown in a meeting that was always scheduled.
Wakefield Trinity players all stood, bar David Fifita, who crouched beside Wigan’s Bevan French draped in an indigenous Australian flag.
Centre Reece Lyne had to defend the stance, branding comments ‘crazy’ and hitting out at ‘people seemingly jumping on board thinking we weren’t showing support to BLM.’
He added: “As a group we decided to show unity against racism in our own way, every person has a choice which should be respected.
“And if you’re zooming in our BAME players' faces saying we're not happy then you’re wrong. We wanted to show unity and solidarity as a team against racism which as a club we are.”
And boss Chris Chester admitted ‘education’ on what the Black Lives Matter movement is about is needed.
He said: “We had a chat during the week. We were led by the captain and we just felt that as a group we needed some education on what the Black Lives Matter movement is.
“That’s the reason we came up with what we did. It’s a decision supported by myself as a coach, chief executive Michael Carter and the rest of the people at the club.”
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