World Rugby's new chairman, Brett Robinson, has outlined his urgent mission to tackle the sport's acute financial crisis, after narrowly winning the vote to succeed Sir Bill Beaumont. The former Australia flanker became the first elected figurehead of the global governing body from the southern hemisphere, by edging out ex-France captain Abdelatif Benazzi 27-25 in the second round of voting. As expected, it had become a two-horse race when the Italian candidate, Andrea Rinaldo, was eliminated after gaining just nine votes in the first round, compared to 22 for Robinson and 21 for Benazzi.
Having come through the tense, tight ballot at a luxury hotel here in the Irish capital, the 54-year-old victor spoke about his pride and pressing priorities. 'It's a great privilege and honour to be elected to chair World Rugby,' said Robinson. 'I was honoured to be put up, but to have the game come and support me is fabulous.
'Work starts today. There are a list of things that (World Rugby's) Council want from me, having elected me, and I've got to start looking at those in some detail. Brett Robinson has seen off the competition to become the new World Rugby chairman Robinson (second-right) will replace outgoing Sir Bill Beaumont (second-left) in the role The result was a disappointment for former French star Abdelatif Benazzi who expected to win 'I was very clear leading into the elections that the financial sustainability of our member unions is.
.. Chris Foy.