Newly-elected World Rugby boss Brett Robinson vows to tackle sport's 'financial crisis', promote women's game and stop time-wasting - after first southern hemisphere chairman sees off rivals to succeed Sir Bill Beaumont The former Australia flanker beat ex-France captain Abdelatif Benazzi 27-25 It had become a two-horse race after the Italian Andrea Rinaldo was eliminated He also pledged to end 'senseless kicking' and encourage attacking rugby By CHRIS FOY Published: 10:00, 15 November 2024 | Updated: 10:24, 15 November 2024 e-mail View comments 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. Th.
