Class act: The working-class game binding London and Canberra

CANBERRA, When a new British prime minister spoke to their Australian counterpart for the first time, it marked a renewed focus on the long-standing bond between the two nations. The July 23 leader-to-leader call between Andy Burnham and Anthony Albanese included more than routine diplomatic discussions. The conversation turned to rugby league, a sport deeply rooted in the working-class cultures of both countries. Albanese expressed a desire to see the Kangaroos, Australia’s national rugby league team, tour the United Kingdom, recalling fond memories of Mal Meninga’s iconic try at Old Trafford in 1990, a match held in Burnham’s hometown of Manchester. According to Burnham’s office, he ultimately agreed to support Albanese’s team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, expressing willingness to cheer for Burnham’s Leopards. The discussion extended beyond casual conversation. The AUKUS military alliance, which involves the sharing of advanced technologies such as nuclear-powered submarines, demands a high level of trust between London and Canberra. This trust is not solely built through formal agreements but also through personal connections. Burnham and Albanese, both left-leaning leaders facing challenges from right-wing populism, found common ground in their shared passion for rugby league, a sport that resonates with working-class communities in both nations. Burnham emphasized the significance of this connection, stating that his deep love for the sport is one of the reasons the friendship between the two countries runs as deep as it does. He noted that in the North of England, rugby league is embedded in the cultural fabric, played and watched consistently, regardless of weather conditions. He claimed this sentiment is mirrored in communities across Australia, reinforcing the idea that the sport serves as a unifying force. For Burnham, reconnecting with working-class voters in post-industrial regions of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and surrounding areas is crucial for his political strategy. These regions have seen a shift in voter allegiance, with some moving from Labour to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. Rugby league, with its roots in working-class struggles, offers a potential bridge back to these communities. The sport emerged in 1895 when clubs in northern England broke away from Rugby Union due to disputes over player compensation. Working-class players, unable to afford the financial sacrifices required by the traditional sport, established a separate code that allowed them to earn wages for their participation. This divergence in sports culture also influenced Australia, where rugby league took root among British colonial settlers. The sport continues to reflect the historical divide between classes, with Rugby Union remaining associated with elite institutions, while rugby league is linked to working-class identity. Australia’s opposition leader, Angus Taylor, a Rhodes Scholar and former McKinsey consultant, plays Rugby Union, contrasting with Albanese, who grew up in social housing and played rugby league. Tony Collins, an emeritus professor of history at De Montfort University and a scholar of rugby league, described the sport’s unique culture. He highlighted how it embodies a sense of community and solidarity, qualities that resonate with Labour’s left-wing values and its efforts to reclaim working-class support. As Burnham seeks to strengthen ties with these communities, the shared language of rugby league becomes a powerful tool in his political campaign.