Roosters coach Trent Robinson has delivered an emotional response to Manly’s inclusivity jersey furore, insisting his club would have no problems wearing a similar design and claiming there would be an uproar if an NRL player decided not to wear an Indigenous-themed jersey.

Three-time premiership-winning coach Robinson spoke candidly on the issue for several minutes before his side’s clash against a depleted Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night.

Seven Manly players have withdrawn from the game on religious and cultural grounds after claiming they weren’t consulted over the club’s decision to wear a jersey with rainbow colours replacing the usual white trimming.

The Roosters and Sea Eagles are locked in a battle for the top eight. The match will have huge ramifications for both sides’ seasons, but has been lost in the debate over the Manly players standing down.

“It’s unfortunate in 2022 we’re still having this conversation,” Robinson said. “I think it’s great what the owners of Manly have decided to do. It’s unfortunate it’s panned out this way.

“Everyone is equal. Race, gender, sexual preference - everyone is equal. People make their choice and let’s not discriminate against those people for doing that.

“In the youth gay community [suicide is] five times what normal society is. That’s because they don’t feel included. For us in 2022, to not be inclusive and not say it’s OK to be who you are, is unacceptable.

“If someone said they weren’t going to wear the Indigenous jersey, there would be an outcry. Forty years ago, that wouldn’t have been the case. Eighty years ago, we wouldn’t have had Women In League Round. We’ve moved on those fronts, and we haven’t moved on this. We need to move towards it at some point.”