Chile's President Sebastian Pinera (L-R), Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Russia's President Vladimir Putin
Chile's President Sebastian Pinera (L-R), Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Russia's President Vladimir Putin listen during the leaders' declaration at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Press Conference and Joint Declaration session in Nusa Dua, on the Indonesian resort island of Bali October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Beawiharta

A Russian administrator made fun of Tony Abbott after the Australian Prime Minister had warned to "shirt-front" Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit. He compared Abbott's liking for riding bicycles with Putin's judo skills to make his point.

Alexander Odoevskiy, the second secretary at the Canberra embassy, said that he had done some research on the term "shirt-front" after Abbott's warning. He said that he had learned more about "Aussie Rules football" and understood that the term was an "old-fashioned" one. The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Odoevskiy saying that the term was not used in the modern day game. He called it "illegal" as talked more about his view on "shirt-front."

Odoevskiy also said that Abbott's claim to confront Putin at the G20 summit was not justified as such a bilateral meeting had not been organised yet. According to him, neither Australia nor Russia has requested for a bilateral in Brisbane. Odoevskiy, apparently representing Russia's take on the issue, said that Russia was not sure when Abbott "would like to shirt-front" its President.

"Shirt-front" is used in the AFL to describe a move where a front-on charge is designed to knock an opponent player to the ground. Odoevskiy contrasted Abbott's interests and Putin's to make his point on the issue. "And finally, I know Prime Minister Abbott is a very keen bicyclist. The Russian President does a lot of judo, which is a type of wrestling," he said.

Abbott earlier said that he would confront Putin to question him about MH17 which caused the death of 38 Australians. When the Malaysian Airlines flight was shot down allegedly by pro-Russian separatists, 298 people on board were killed. Abbott chose the word "shirt-front" to describe how he would challenge Putin. He said that Australia had lots of "tough conversations" with Putin's government before. However, he said that his next conversation with Russian president at the G20 summit would be the "toughest conversation of all."

Odoevskiy, on the other hand, clarified that his comments on Abbott's cycling and Putin's skill in judo were entirely his own observations. It should not be considered to be a formal response from the Russian government, he said.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au