• Financial sustainability across all member unions amid a rising cost base and wage inflation
  • Prudent execution of the next phase of World Rugby’s global growth agenda
  • Competitions that drive audience engagement and commercial outcomes
  • Fan and player growth through investment in player safety, law reform and innovation
  • A disciplined and fit for purpose governing body.

Today, I reiterate my commitment as Chair to do so, 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, with the commitment to set a course and see it through.

I congratulate those elected today and extend my best wishes to those who had the courage to run for office but were not successfulI 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.”

Robinson succeeds Sir Bill Beaumont, whose maximum eight-year term has now officially ended. Among many highlights, Beaumont will be remembered as a leader who delivered historic governance and international calendar reform, men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup expansion, and a modernised Rugby World Cup hosting model, focused on delivering growth and impact and the boom in the women’s game. He also steered the sport through the turbulence of the global pandemic, while deepening relationships with professional leagues and player bodies.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, Jonathan Webb (England) was elected Vice Chair while six representatives were elected to the Executive Board. They are:
Northern hemisphere high performance unions (2): Susan Carty (Ireland), Jonathan Webb (England)
Southern hemisphere high performance unions (2): Mark Alexander (South Africa), Bart Campbell (New Zealand)
Non high performance Union (1): Sally Dennis (Canada)
Region (1): Herbert Mensah (Rugby Africa)

The six elected representatives will join the World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin, the Independent EventsCo Chair (to be appointed following an independent recruitment process), three independent members (approved by the Council and to be announced shortly – two female, including Angela Ruggiero whose current mandate runs through to 2027) and the two player representatives (Rob Kearney and Melodie Robinson) nominated by International Rugby Players (IRP) on the Executive Board. 

Elected officials will serve a maximum four-year termdependent on previously appointed individuals not reaching the eight-year aggregate term limit within this period (this does not apply to the elected Chair, who may serve up to two terms).   

Chair vote

ADVERTISEMENT

Round 1
Benazzi 21
Rinaldo 9 (eliminated)
Robinson 22

Round 2
Benazzi 25
Robinson 27

Simple majority required

Vice Chair vote
Mark Alexander 15
Susan Carty 14
Jonathan Webb 23

Executive Board vote

High Performance Union (North) (x2)
Susan Carty (Ireland) 46 (elected)
Richard Collier-Keywood (Wales) 24
Jonathan Webb (England) 29 (elected)

High Performance Union (South) (x2)
Mark Alexander (South Africa) 34 (elected)
Bart Campbell (New Zealand) 31 (elected)
John Eales (Australia) 19
Agustín Pichot (Argentina) 18

Non-High-Performance Union (x1)
Sally Dennis (Canada) 28 (elected)
Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi (Samoa) 5
Sebastian Piñeyrúa (Uruguay) 18

Regional Association (x1)
Qais Al-Dhalai (Asia Rugby) 15
Herbert Mensah (Rugby Africa) 21(elected)
Richard Sapias (Oceania Rugby) 15