Key and Rudd's rugby bet

Fairfax

CLOSE TIES: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd exchange ties at Parliament House in Canberra.

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They profess to be the best of friends, but when it comes to rugby, prime ministers John Key and Kevin Rudd have different ties.

Tomorrow's Bledisloe Cup rugby test between New Zealand and Australia has dominated Mr Key's Australian visit, with the subject brought up at every engagement and by every taxi driver.

The rugby rivalry even found its way into the meeting between Mr Key and Mr Rudd at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday, with the pair having a bet on the result of the Sydney test.

The leaders swapped rugby ties at a press conference, and Mr Rudd confirmed he would host Mr Key at the test.

"The prime ministers, as a further reflection of our abiding affection for one another, will sit together with gritted teeth during that match on Saturday night, and may the best team win," Mr Rudd said.

"But we have a bet. We have decided on a wager, and that is, depending on who wins, the prime minister of the losing team I suggest John wears the official tie of the winning team the following Monday."

Mr Rudd gave Mr Key a blue Wallabies tie and Mr Key handed Mr Rudd an All Blacks one.

Asked whether he was prepared to turn up to Monday's Cabinet meeting wearing an Australian rugby tie, Mr Key said: "I like blue, and black is a colour for mourning. And that may well be the situation on Monday."

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