World Rugby confirms candidates for next month’s chair election

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed the three candidates who will contest the election for the chair of World Rugby to replace Sir Bill Beaumont at the interim council meeting in Dublin on November 14.

Beaumont fulfilled the role of chairman of World Rugby for eight years after he replaced Bernard Lapasset as Chair in July 201. He can no longer stand having served a maximum of two terms.

Abdelatif Benazzi (France) nominated by France and seconded by South Africa, Andrea Rinaldo (Italy) nominated by Italy and seconded by Ireland, and Brett Robinson (Australia) nominated by Australia and seconded by England will go head-to-head in the race to replace Beaumont at the helm of World Rugby.

The 56-year-old Benazzi was born in Morocco, and played 78 times for France between 1990 and 2001, appearing in three World Cups.

Robinson, who captained the Brumbies and played 16 Tests for Australia, is already on the World Rugby executive board and is the favourite to take over from Beaumont who has completed his two terms in the role.

Rinaldo, a professor of hydrology and water resources who wants to use more science in rugby, is also a former international having won four caps for Italy.

The vote will take place on November 14, at the same time as the vote on the standardisation of new rules, including the 20-minute red card which has been strongly pushed by New Zealand and Australia but opposed by the French.