Manase Fainu

'They don't quite get it': Walker defends teammates, says Fainu tribute 'taken out of context'.

“They’re using the NRL and Fox as a stage to show their support. “Once we know that then I think we will deal with it. “It’s a choice of yourself and what you want to support. That is happening now through discussion with the club. “But we will need to look at it. “I would interpret that (symbol) into something completely different to someone else that wouldn’t be a part of that close-knit group. “This is a kid that was touted to be the next superstar and turns have taken the wrong way for him. I think as a playing group, we’re showing as much support as we can. “I am not in position to pass judgment because I am not sure what the context is for this. Manase is a wonderful kid, he’s happy. I hate to say it, but an audience that doesn’t quite get it would be the right words to say. It sucks to see it go down that path.”

Haumole Olakau'atu's show of support for jailed Manase Fainu prompted concerned NRL officials to speak to their Manly counterparts, but players have ...

“I’ve spoken to a lot of the ‘Pride boys’. The concern from the NRL is you have to be careful on what sort of platform you do that. We’ll show our support for him and his family - two of his younger brothers are here in the junior grades - and we’re trying to throw a shoulder around them to make sure they’re OK.” “We went up to the Gold Coast on the day of [the verdict]. There has been a lot of postcode wars going on and people have lost their lives. He’s surrounded by four walls and looking at random people who may have been in there for a long time.