Can a sports team be used as a political strategy?
In late 2024, Australia announced it would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to help Papua New Guinea enter the National Rugby League by 2028. At first, this sounds like a simple investment in sport… building stadiums, creating jobs, and supporting athletes.
But this decision is actually tied to growing competition between Australia and China for influence in the Pacific. And Australia’s strongest tool isn’t ships, money, or military forces…
It’s rugby.
In this episode of Thinking in English, I’ll explain how a rugby league team has turned into a diplomatic tool.
What is sports diplomacy? Why is the Pacific a strategically important region? How does Australia use rugby to build political alliances? Why does China want influence in Papua New Guinea?
As a rugby fan and someone who studied international relations, this topic brings together both my passions. I even wrote about it for The Diplomat years before this NRL deal was announced, so I’ve been following it closely.
If you want to understand how a sport loved by millions became part of global politics, and how a rugby team could reshape relationships in the Pacific, listen to the full episode by subscribing below.
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