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Howard watches rugby as Bush arrives
Howard watches rugby as Bush arrives
Wednesday September 05, 2007
He's a good friend and ally but when it came down to choosing between the US leader and rugby league, sport was the winner for Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
So when US President George W. Bush and his huge entourage touched down on Air Force One in Sydney late Tuesday, they were met not by his close ally on Iraq but by Howard's deputy Mark Vaile.
The reason?
Howard was at a rugby league awards dinner.
A passionate fan of the sport who who supports Sydney-based Saint George's Dragons, he spent the evening at the Dally M awards, the Australian National Rugby League's annual showpiece at Sydney's Town Hall.
"I have got to get my priorities right. No disrespect, he's (Bush) my good friend but this is rugby league," he told reporters.
Howard, who has seen his popularity ratings plummet due to his support of the US-led invasion of Iraq, played for his school at rugby and cricket.
Bush, who was accompanied here by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, flew in for a summit of Asia Pacific leaders.
Fijilive
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