Deploying rugby league to defend Australia’s interests is, shall we say, unconventional geopolitical strategy. But far from being nuts, history and geography explain why the Albanese government wants to underwrite Papua New Guinea’s bid for the National Rugby League’s 18th club licence.

As the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) and AUKUS submarine program have told us, China’s extraordinary military build-up means Australia must spend hundreds of billions of dollars defending itself. But a secure region requires more than heavy weapons. We need strong friendships, too.