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Anthony Albanese, a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan, has used the NRL as a diplomatic lever in the Pacific.

Pacific leaders lobby Australia for rugby cash splash after NRL deal

The $150 million sports diplomacy deal is being sought by Fiji, Tonga and Samoa as the Albanese government bankrolls rugby league in the region to counter China.

  • Chris Barrett and Iain Payten

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France-based Wallabies star Will Skelton is back with the team in Dublin.

‘Bring it on’: Wallabies welcome first-ever pool battle with All Blacks at home World Cup

The draw for the pools of the 2027 Rugby World Cup has been completed. Find out who got the easiest run, and who has the toughest.

  • Iain Payten
Brandon Paenga-Amosa and his little sister Katalina Amosa.

10,000km, five hours and one piece of Australian rugby history

Brandon Paenga-Amosa and his sister Katalina both played for Australia at the weekend and did something that may never happen again.

  • Frances Howe
Wallaroos hooker Adiana Talakai in North Sydney.

Why a Wallaroos star didn’t tell her parents she was debuting for Australia

Family, and footy, have always been a central part of Adiana Talakai’s life. But the Wallaroos hooker made an unusual decision when she was first picked to play for her country.

  • Iain Payten
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be at the rugby union Test between Australia in Fiji in Newcastle on Sunday.

‘Nail in the coffin’: Pacific rugby leaders raise alarm about NRL’s PNG deal

Officials in the region are concerned about the Albanese government’s bankrolling of rugby league and are proposing a greater share in funding for their national game.

  • Chris Barrett
Suliasi Vunivalu on the charge.

Reds snap out of Super drought with Samoa win

Suliasi Vunivalu has come to life as the Queensland Reds won overseas for the first time in four years and burst Moana Pasifika’s bubble in Samoa.

  • Murray Wenzel
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Rugby balls at Barbarians training.

Two more Australians caught in COVID-19 spring tour outbreak

A total of five people in the Wallabies’ set-up have been caught up in the spiralling COVID case numbers in the UK.

  • Georgina Robinson
Jason Taumalolo has helped Tonga become an international rugby league force.

Little hope of a Taumalolo moment while self-interest rules World Rugby

It would be lovely to be proven wrong, but it is hard to believe countries will vote for the greater good instead of their own interests on a proposal to allow players to switch Test teams.

  • Paul Cully
Tadhg Beirne wins the ball for Ireland.

Ireland cruise into quarters after demolishing Samoa

Ireland have crushed Samoa 47-5 despite playing more than half the contest with 14 men.

  • Jerome Pugmire
Excitement machine: Is Semi Radradra coming to Australia next year?

Silver linings: Flying Fijians set for Wallabies, All Blacks Tests

International rugby's entertainers bottled their World Cup campaign but potential games against Test giants are a sign of progress.

  • Georgina Robinson