Abdelatif Benazzi Narrowly Loses World Rugby Presidency to Brett Robinson
In a closely contested election held in Dublin, Australian Brett Robinson was elected as the new president of World Rugby, defeating former French captain Abdelatif Benazzi by a mere two votes. Robinson garnered 27 votes in the second round compared to Benazzi's 25, following an initial round where Robinson received 22 votes, Benazzi 21, and Italian Andrea Rinaldo 9. Robinson succeeds Bill Beaumont, who had served since 2016 and did not seek re-election.
Robinson's campaign focused on revitalizing rugby, particularly addressing its financial challenges and enhancing the sport's appeal. He emphasized the need for regulatory reforms, including reducing the time for conversions and scrums, and advocated for the controversial 20-minute red card rule, which allows teams to replace a player sent off after 20 minutes. This proposal, however, has faced opposition, particularly from France, citing concerns over player safety.
Benazzi, who has been a vice-president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and a prominent figure in rugby, expressed his commitment to expanding the sport's reach beyond traditional powerhouses. He highlighted the financial struggles faced by many rugby nations and warned that the sport is at a critical juncture, stating, "World rugby is in a very bad way. The ship risks sinking." He called for investment in emerging rugby nations and criticized the current voting structure in World Rugby, which favors a few established countries. Benazzi also firmly opposed the 20-minute red card rule, arguing that it could lead to increased violence in the game.
