Anthony Albanese’s sport minister calls PM out in touch footy stoush

The PM wanted to call it at half-time as a parliamentary touch footy match descended into mock-scandal, with a dispute over a ‘dodgy’ try split along State, rather than party lines.

What do Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese have in common?

Both leaders love their sport – and both have been dogged by questions over whether they play it straight.

While the former US president was accused of shaving strokes off his golf game, the Australian PM has been accused of a dodgy try at a parliamentary touch footy game Tuesday morning.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a victory run during the Parliamentary Friends of NRL game at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed a try but was actually tapped by his Minister for Sport of Australia, Anika Wells. NSW won 3-1. Picture: Gary Ramage

The game ended 3 to 1 for the NSW pollie squad but a try just before the halftime whistle led to a dispute – good natured, we are assured – between the PM and sports Minister Anika Wells, who claimed she tapped him right before the try.

“It was a good first half. Well, I scored the try to put it 3-1 ahead and at that point, I think the game should have been stopped at half time,” he said after the game.

“Apparently these other referees, this fellow called Andrew Abdo from the NRL, he is sort of trying to run the show.”

Mid-match in the Parliamentary Friends of NRL game at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese playing NRL at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Senator David Pocock played for QLD in the Parliamentary Friends of NRL game. Picture: Gary Ramage

Both NSW and QLD sides line-up before an NRL game at Parliament House. Picture: Gary Ramage

Later in the day Ms Wells, a Queenslander, was asked about the “clear photographic evidence” showing she tagged Mr Albanese prior to his try.

“I think we can all agree that referee is going to be the next Governor-general based on that decision,” she said.

“And I think we can say ultimately, glory to Queensland.”

However for many the real scandal was not whether or not the PM was tapped by his sports Minister, but the fact that the ACT’s David Pocock – himself a former rugby union star – put on a jersey for Queensland.

Independent MP, indeed.