The National Rugby League has defended its photo of two female players kissing on the pitch after the women’s State of Origin game last night.
The league’s social media team posted the heart-warming snap of partners Karina Brown and Ness Foliaki, who opposed each other in the showdown, on Facebook.
Some fans were outraged by the PDA and slammed the league for ‘sexualising the women’s game’ – but the league hit back with a stinging response.
The National Rugby League has defended its photo of two female players kissing on the pitch after the women’s State of Origin game last night
Brown and Foliaki have been partners for four years. They started their relationship in 2014 after being selected for the Jillaroos, the women’s national team
One fan called Matt wrote: ‘Keep that c**p to the dressing shed or at home… keep it off the field and let your football do the talking.’ The league replied: ‘Hey Matt, welcome to 2018… can’t wait for you to join us!’
Some fans were outraged by the PDA and slammed the league for ‘sexualising the women’s game’ – but the league hit back
One fan called Matt wrote: ‘Keep that c**p to the dressing shed or at home… keep it off the field and let your football do the talking.’
The league replied: ‘Hey Matt, welcome to 2018… can’t wait for you to join us!’
The comment got more than 10,000 likes.
Another fan wrote: ‘Already sexualising the women’s league, one step forward three steps back.’
And the league 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.’
Karina Brown of the Maroons celebrates with her team mates after scoring a try during the Women’s State of Origin match. NSW won 16-10
Brown (right) captained the Queensland women’s side last year. Foliaki (left), who is from Orange, plays as a forward for New South Wales
Describing how they first met, Brown said: ‘We went out to have a few commiseration drinks after a loss to the Kiwi Ferns.’
Foliaki said of their first meeting: ‘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.’
Brown and Foliaki have been partners for four years and live together in Brisbane.
They started their relationship in 2014 after being selected for the Jillaroos, the women’s national team.
New South Wales last night beat Queensland 16-10 in the inaugural women’s State of Origin at North Sydney Oval.
The states have played before but this was the first time the clash was branded an Origin match.
Brown captained the Queensland women’s side last year. Foliaki, who is from Orange, plays as a forward for New South Wales.
There were hundreds of outrage comments about the couple’s kissing on the pitch – but the league stuck to its guns
New South Wales beat Queensland 16-10 in the inaugural women’s State of Origin at North Sydney Oval. Pictured: Foliaki and Brown
Brown said: ‘I saw her eyes light up and she came over, bought me a drink and the rest is history’
Karina Brown’s Instagram is filled with tender moments the couple have shared while living together in Brisbane
Describing how they first met, Brown told NRL.com: ‘We went out to have a few commiseration drinks after a loss to the Kiwi Ferns.
‘I saw her eyes light up and she came over, bought me a drink and the rest is history.’
Foliaki, however, remembers it differently. ‘Complete opposite,’ she said.
‘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.’
Vanessa Foliaki of Australia is tackled during the Women’s Rugby League World Cup match between the Canadian Ravens and the Australian Jillaroos
The Blues celebrate victory during the Women’s State of Origin match between New South Wales and Queensland at North Sydney Oval