Australia deploys rugby diplomacy to tempt neighbour away from China

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The deal underscores rugby league’s role in fostering unity within Papua New Guinea and strengthening ties with Australia, and marks a strategic breakthrough for Australia in its competition with China for influence in the Pacific. Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese inspects the guard of honour upon his arrival at Jacksons International Airport in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby on 12 January 2023 Qin Sheng, research fellow at the Center for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told The Global Times that Australia was using Papua New Guinea’s strong emotional ties to rugby to its advantage. Peter V’landys, chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, said he didn’t think Papua New Guinea would ever risk losing its rugby league team by striking a security agreement with China. “Rugby league is such a religion in Papua New Guinea that they will never take the risk of losing a rugby league team to do a deal with another country,” Mr V’landys said.