Brett Robinson has been elected as the new World Rugby chair by a narrow vote of 27 to 25 over Abdel Benazzi, replacing the outgoing chairman Bill Beaumont.
Two rounds of voting took place at World Rugby’s headquarters in Dublin, where Robinson will address the media later on Thursday.
While the vote among the 52 members remains secret, the third candidate, Andrea Rinaldo, received more votes than expected in the first round with nine, having originally been forecast to receive six votes from his native Italy along with Ireland, suggesting late movement from one of the Robertson or Benazzi camps who finished the first round on 22 and 21 votes respectively. Robinson then went on to win the second round of voting 27 to 25.
Robinson becomes the first elected chair from southern hemisphere and will now serve a four-year term, potentially standing for a second term in 2028.
Addressing World Rugby’s council, Robinson said: “It is an immense privilege and honour to have been elected World Rugby chair by my council colleagues today. During the course of the process, I have had many conversations with my colleagues around the world and am heartened by our shared ambition to continue to build on the strength of our game.”
Robinson added that he now plans to work closely will all parties to achieve:
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Financial sustainability across all member unions amid a rising cost base and wage inflation
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Prudent execution of the next phase of World Rugby’s global growth agenda
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Competitions that drive audience engagement and commercial outcomes
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Fan and player growth through investment in player safety, law reform and innovation
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A disciplined and fit for purpose governing body.
“Today, I reiterate my commitment as Chair to do so, to harness the abundant passion in our game and to lead for all, by creating the right culture to deliver commercial outcomes for a contemporary global sport, with the commitment to set a course and see it through.”
Addressing Beaumont’s eight years in charge, World Rugby said: “[He] will be remembered as a leader who delivered historic governance and international calendar reform, men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup expansion, and a modernised Rugby World Cup hosting model, focused on delivering growth and impact and the boom in the women’s game”.
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