Australia has struck a “rugby diplomacy” deal with Papua New Guinea to try to curb China’s mounting influence, agreeing to bankroll the Pacific country’s ambitions in the sport while cementing a bilateral security pact.
Australia said on Thursday that it would invest A$600mn ($385mn) over 10 years to set up a rugby league team in Papua New Guinea, where the sport is hugely popular, to compete in the Australian league by 2028.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, and counterpart James Marape of Papua New Guinea announced the agreement on Thursday and also said a bilateral security pact signed by the two countries last year had come into force.
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