There has been groundswell of support for the National Rugby League’s defence of the post-match display of public affection shared by players and same-sex couple Karina Brown and Vanessa Foliaki.
New South Wales defeated the Queensland side 16-10 on Friday and the stars, who play on opposing sides, celebrated the hard fought match with a kiss.
A photo of the moment was posted on the NRL’s social media accounts, triggering a backlash from some fans who were unhappy.
NRL responded to angry fans on Facebook who accused the NRL of “sexualizing the women’s league”.
The NRL Facebook moderator cited examples of male State of Origin players who are regularly shown embracing their partners after matches.
"If we can post a [photo] of Cooper Cronk and his wife Tara kissing, then we can share a photo of Karina Brown and Ness Foliaki sharing a moment too," the NRL responded on its Facebook page.
Another comment said the publicity would “put off” young women who wanted to get involved in the game, but are uncomfortable with the sport’s image.
The NRL responded: "welcome to 2018 … can't wait for you to join us!"
In the lead up to the game, Brown and Foliaki said in an interview that Friday’s match would test their relationship.
They also revealed how the relationship began over sharing commiseration drinks after being defeated by New Zealand.
"Karina saw me across the room. We were drinking at the bar and she decided to shout everyone a drink, have a skolling competition and couldn't beat me. I smashed her. It started from there," Foliaki told NRL.com
The pair have been in a relationship since they were selected to represent the Australia women's national rugby league team, the Jillaroos, in 2014.
Foliaki said the couple had received warm support from their teammates and coaches, some of whom are pushing for a wedding in the near future.
"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,” she said.
The NRL received a Pride in Sport award earlier in the week for its support of members of gay and lesbian community.
The sporting code was the first to join the Pride in Diversity initiative in 2014 and made headlines last October for allowing US rapper Macklemore’s same sex anthem to be sung at the grand final in Sydney.
Sydney Mardi Gras organisers commended the couple for their performance in the match, saying the pair were “kicking goals and proving love wins!”
Greens' LGBTI spokeswoman, Janet Rice says there should not be one standard for male rugby league stars and another for female athletes.
A support group for women based in Melbourne, WIRE, said the NRL should be commended on its stance.
Michelle Redfern, director of Australian rules Melbourne football club, Williamstown FC, said the incident should not be viewed as offensive.
Support could also be found internationally from gay rugby club, the San Francisco Fog.
Sydney lesbian football (soccer) club the Flying Bats said the professionalism on display should be praised.
One New Zealand fan said the situation would not raise any eyebrows in her country.
One social media user created a montage of images of male athletes kissing each other to make their point.
Other fans said it only made their admiration and support for the women’s league grow even stronger.
