Australian Brett Robinson has been elected as the new World Rugby chairman, becoming the first representative from the southern hemisphere to hold the position.
The 54-year-old Robinson emerged victorious after a two-round secret ballot at the governing body’s Interim Council meeting in Dublin, seeing off challenges from Abdelatif Benazzi of France and Italy’s Andrea Rinaldo.
“It is an immense privilege and honour to have been elected World Rugby chair by my Council colleagues,” said Robinson, who will serve an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second stint.
The new chair laid out a clear vision for his tenure, pledging to focus on financial sustainability, prudent global growth, engaging competitions, player welfare and innovation, as well as ensuring World Rugby operates in a “disciplined and fit for purpose” manner.
“I look forward to now getting to work with the new World Rugby executive board, Alan and the World Rugby executive and my colleagues in the member unions,” added Robinson.
He succeeds England’s Bill Beaumont, who has stepped down after serving the maximum eight-year term.
“I congratulate those elected today and extend my best wishes to those who had the courage to run for office but were not successful,” said Robinson.
Photo: World Rugby
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