Australian Brett Robinson Elected as First Southern Hemisphere World Rugby Chair
In a closely contested election, Australian Brett Robinson has been named the new World Rugby Chair, becoming the first individual from the southern hemisphere to hold the governing body’s top position. Robinson narrowly defeated former French international Abdelatif Benazzi, securing 27 votes to Benazzi’s 25 in the final round of the Council’s voting process, after Italy’s Andrea Rinaldo was eliminated earlier in the election.
Robinson, a former Wallabies flanker, succeeds Bill Beaumont, who is stepping down after serving the maximum eight-year term as World Rugby Chair. The 54-year-old Australian has pledged to prioritize financial stability and commercial growth for the sport, as several national unions and club competitions face mounting pressure on their balance sheets.
“Today, I reiterate my commitment as Chair 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,” said Robinson following his election.
The appointment of Robinson, the first southern hemisphere representative to lead World Rugby, is seen as a significant milestone for the governing body as it seeks to strengthen its global footprint and address the financial challenges facing the sport in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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