Scott Morrison channels his inner Boris Johnson as he rugby tackles a child

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hit more than the campaign trail as he aims to be re-elected the leader of his country in three days time.

The 54-year-old was photographed tackling a small child during a campaign stop at the Devonport Strikers Soccer Club on the island of Tasmania.

Mr Morrison, who was first elected in 2010, is seeking to become the first head of government to serve multiple terms since John Howard, who successfully won a fourth election in 2004.

The previous five PMs have all been ousted mid-term.

Mr Morrison is widely credited with spending huge sums to protect jobs and the economy during the pandemic.

But the prime minister has been criticised by the opposition for a sluggish rollout of vaccines and self-administered rapid antigen tests.

Despite the vicious hit, the youngster was all smiles in the aftermath, even giving his national leader a high five.

Mr Morrison is not the first world leader to bulldoze a small child on his way to high office.

When he was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson achieved infamy after charging through a 10-year-old child during a touch rugby match in Japan.

Mr Johnson, a keen rugby fan, shook the boy's hand and apologised. It did not seem to harm his future bids for office, as he went on to become foreign secretary and, eventually, Prime Minister