auswomensfootball:

THE NRL has backed two female footballers from opposing teams captured locking lips in a kiss after the image sparked backlash by a handful of fans online.

A photo of women’s State of Origin players Karina Brown, who plays for Queensland, and Vanessa Foliaki, of New South Wales, was posted to the NRL’s social media accounts after the thrilling game came to a conclusion last night.

But it was Foliaki and Brown who stole the limelight, who have been in a relationship since they were selected to represent the Jillaroos in 2014.

The pair claims the rugby league family “wants us to get married” and that the “coaching staff are supportive. We’re feeling all the love”.

The image of the couple kissing was met with disdain from some fans, one who claimed it was a “bad move” by the NRL. The NRL responded with: “Welcome to 2018 … can’t wait for you to join us!”.

Another claimed the NRL was “already sexualising the women’s league” and that it was “one step forward three steps back”.

The NRL replied: “If we can post a of Cooper Cronk and his wife Tara kissing, then we can share a photo of Karina Brown and Ness Foliaki sharing a moment too.”

In the lead up to the game the couple told NRL.com they have spent their relationship “competing against each other on several occasions”.

The couple said the State of Origin would be “their biggest relationship challenge yet” and that their relationship “has never been an issue among their teammates and support staff”.

“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 said.

The inaugural Women’s State of Origin has been hailed as the first step towards parity with the men’s game after NSW claimed a 16-10 victory over Queensland on Friday night.