A group of Sea Eagles players were blindsided by the Manly pride shirt this week, but Hollywood icon Hugh Jackman knew about the design several weeks ago.
Jackman agreed to help promote this week’s Gotcha4Life Cup match between Manly and the Sydney Roosters, which will raise more than $200,000 to fight mental illness.
The Hollywood A-lister, who like Gotcha4Life founder and childhood pal Gus Worland is a die-hard Sea Eagles supporter, received a replica Manly shirt in the post a few weeks ago, proudly pointing out the logo of the non-profit foundation for a photo.
Jackman also signed the shirt, which will be auctioned off this week.
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This image was plastered on the cover of The Daily Telegraph Wednesday morning, but everyone focused on the rainbow stripe on the jersey.
On Tuesday, Manly coach Des Hasler confirmed seven players had decided to boycott this week’s NRL game over the pride’s unique shirt, citing religious and cultural beliefs.
The Sea Eagles are close to slipping out of the top eight but Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley were ready to spoil the club’s finals chances for something so frivolous like a strip of the rainbow.
But Jackman saw an opportunity to turn the cover splash into a positive.
Hugh Jackman on the cover of The Daily Telegraph.Source: supplied
“I woke up this morning and saw that front page and thought, ‘Oh, he hates it when he’s on the front page,'” Worland told news.com.au on Wednesday.
“But he’s like, ‘Dude, it’s great.’ Let’s turn around. Let’s talk about Gotcha4Life. Let’s see how much good we can do with the money that has been donated.”
“That’s him at the game.”
Unfortunately, Jackman won’t be at 4 Pines Park this Thursday evening due to Broadway commitments, but the 53-year-old has recorded an on-camera piece that will air during the game.
Hugh Jackman with Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler. Photo by Matt King/Getty ImagesSource: Supplied
Nearly four decades ago, Worland and Jackman appeared together in their high school production of The Music Man.
The pair were cast as ensemble members for the musical Knox Grammar, but the experience sparked a lifelong passion for musical theatre.
Thirty-nine years later, Jackman plays the leading man in the revival of the classic Broadway musical, while Worland is a popular sports commentator and Triple M presenter who speaks to 60,000 school children each year about mental health.
He was not only the best man at Jackman’s wedding, but also the godfather of his firstborn.
Worland initially came up with the idea for the Gotcha4Life Cup a few years ago, but the inaugural event was pushed back due to complications from Covid-19.
Gus Worland with childhood friend Hugh Jackman.Source: supplied
On Sunday, Worland chatted to the Roosters gaming group for 40 minutes about his foundation, which aims to reduce the number of suicides in Australia to zero.
“I was pretty nervous,” he admitted.
“Walking into a room with all these heroes sitting there looking at you and you’re telling very emotional stories.
“Sam Verrills was thrilled, as was I.
“I love the fact that the Roosters look after their players in a way that’s not just about footy. It’s about life in general.
“I couldn’t be more excited … when I went to the club, literally within 20 minutes they were like, ‘Yeah, we’re here,’ so it was organized really quickly.
“Now that it’s here, it’s wonderful.”
The pride shirt saga has sadly taken the focus off the Gotcha4Life Cup, which coincides with the Women in League round, but Worland is determined to bring the narrative back to what really matters.
“At times like this, it’s more important than ever to focus on exactly what Gotcha4Life is,” he said.
“I’m really interested in changing the narrative of the shirt to a couple of wonderful sponsors who have given $100,000 each, which we can get back into mental shape.
“We’re trying to make something really positive out of what has been a very traumatic few days, especially for Manly.
“I hope that in these next 36 hours we can make a difference.”
Gus Worland and Ian Roberts.Source: supplied
With the help of former Manly player Ian Roberts, the first openly gay NRL footballer, Worland will set aside a portion of the funds raised to help LGBTI communities.
There will be a number of aspiring rugby league players around Australia, possibly even Manly supporters, struggling with their sexuality who would have been devastated by the Sea Eagles players’ boycott.
“I feel for everyone involved; the players, the club, the people who are personally affected by it and who are faced with a lot of things that are faced and stressful,” he said.
“It would be wrong for me to say that I can understand what they’re going through. All I can say is that I can imagine what they’re going through, and I’m here for them, and Gotcha4Life is here for them.
“I’m sad that the last few days have passed, but we can do something positive with this.”
You can donate to Gotcha4Life here.