Rugby diplomacy: those Chinese again

Diplomacy takes many forms and after the 'ping pong' episode in US-PRC relations this is a curious turn.

What do these nations have in common: Australia, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and China? They play rugby!

Before there's a panic here is the result of Australia v PRC 66:5.

Link:http://www.idrc2011.com/

From the commentary:

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If there is one thing that we can take away from this bit of Defence rugby diplomacy it is that the US made a mistake in not sending a team to a tournament well represented by rugby-mad Pacific Islands teams like NZ, Tonga and Samoa. We can probably look forward to some more Chinese Defence rugby diplomacy in the Pacific in the near future.

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Link:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/...diplomacy.aspx

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Originally Posted by davidbfpo

Diplomacy takes many forms and after the 'ping pong' episode in US-PRC relations this is a curious turn.

What do these nations have in common: Australia, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and China? They play rugby!

Before there's a panic here is the result of Australia v PRC 66:5.

Link:http://www.idrc2011.com/

From the commentary:

Link:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/...diplomacy.aspx

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Ah... rugby. We have reached the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup (being played in New Zealand.)

Grew up on that game like mother's milk... and its the controlled aggression which makes it a game for hooligans played by gentlemen (... OK mostly ;) )

It you ever run into some poor misguided individual who believes soccer or football is the superior game you need to educate him that if there had been a divine design in favour of soccer then we would have evolved round balls. ;)

I will be in a pub for kick off at 9am tomorrow, screaming "leek" until i'm horse. Cymru am byth!

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Originally Posted by TDB

I will be in a pub for kick off at 9am tomorrow, screaming "leek" until i'm horse. Cymru am byth!

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And sadly for you, the frogs have it.