New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stuns Kiwis with Matildas World Cup comment and jokes: ‘I’m getting text messages from Albo about that’
- Kiwi PM now supports the Matildas in World Cup
- PM jokes that he is now getting a text from Mr. Albanese
- Hipkins drew the line at supporting England
The Matildas’ thrilling World Cup victory over Canada has led to a thaw in trans-Tasman relations, with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins reluctantly shifting his support behind Australia.
The idea of a Kiwi leader supporting an Australian sports team is almost unthinkable across the ditch, given NZ’s largely painful history of losing to its big brother.
Except rugby, of course.
The two countries have put aside their rivalry to come together this month to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup and win the bid under the banner of ‘As One’.
While New Zealand were knocked out on Sunday evening, Australia made stunning progress on Monday after losing 4-0 to Olympic champions Canada.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has reluctantly declared his support for Australia at the Women’s World Cup
After the Kiwis were bundled out of the World Cup on Sunday, Mr Hipkins has decided to put aside old rivalries and support the Matildas
On Tuesday, Mr Hipkins was asked if it was time for Kiwis to support co-hosts Australia and offered a long break before agreeing.
“Go to the Matildas,” he said.
“I’m going to get texts about that from Albo.”
Mr Hipkins hosted Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese last week for annual NZ-Australia leadership talks, which focused on travel and strategic issues with a sporting twist.
The pair went to Wellington’s Fan Festival and shared a beer during a match, talking to locals about the tournament.
Mr Hipkins, who prefers cricket to the Kiwis’ national sport of rugby, acknowledged the political difficulty in supporting Australia.
A political editor joked that his support could cost him the October 14 election.
“Look, there’s something in there, isn’t it, about Kiwis just supporting an Australian team, but of course we wish our Aussie friends all the best,” said Mr Hipkins.
Mr Hipkins joked that he was now expecting a text from Mr Albanese (pictured together)
The Matildas are through to the next round of the Women’s World Cup after a stunning 4-0 victory over Canada on Monday night (pictured, Sam Kerr celebrates with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold)
“It’s great that New Zealand and Australia are co-hosting.
“It’s good to see that even though our Kiwi team hasn’t progressed further in the tournament, there’s still a lot of enthusiasm and support for the Games.”
Mr Hipkins acknowledged the ‘long-standing Kiwi mantra’ of supporting all but Australia, but drew the line in offering support to England.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he said.
The sense of rivalry is still strong on the other side of politics, with opposition leader Chris Luxon saying he wants the Matildas out in their next match.
“I think we’re supporting someone other than Australia,” he said.
Mr Luxon’s sporting sensibilities belie his own personal view of Australia, having lived and worked in Sydney for five years in the 1990s.
‘I love Australia. If I couldn’t be a Kiwi, I definitely would be an Aussie. I just love the confidence and optimism of the joint,” he said last year.