New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised his Australian counterpart an “unwavering commitment” to the AUKUS submarine program.

And he has agreed to back South Sydney Rabbitohs, in return for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s support of Everton.

The two leaders spoke over the phone soon after Burnham was sworn in as the UK’s latest prime minister.

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Summarising the call, a Downing Street spokesperson said the AUKUS pact “embodied (Burnham’s) vision for the UK, delivering change in communities, like AUKUS was doing in Barrow, through reindustrialisation and long-term investment”.

The two leaders “also discussed online safety and the importance of social media bans to safeguard children,” the spokesperson said.

The pair also “talked about their shared love of watching rugby league and (Burnham) said he would love to see the return of the Kangaroos to play in the UK”.

“Both leaders also agreed to become supporters of each other’s home-supporting teams, rugby league’s South Sydney Rabbitohs and Everton,” the Downing Street spokesperson said.