Agustin Pichot and Sir Bill Beaumont will be vying for the role as World Rugby Chairman in May 2020. Beaumont is the current Chairman with Pichot the Vice Chairman, both having won their seats in 2016.
World Rugby will announce further details of the bidding process for the Chairman and Vice-Chairmanship on Monday 13th April 2020.
Sir Bill Beaumont
Sir Bill Beaumont World Rugby Chairman
Beaumont has been the World Rugby chairman since 2016, working with Pichot. He has also said he wants rugby to be more “equitable”. In a BBC interview in September 2019 he told them he was committed to delivering new and improved rugby competitions adding “I want to make certain we have a global game.”
In January 2020 he confirmed he wanted to run for the position again as Chairman of World Rugby. He also announced at the time he was running with controversial FFR President Bernard Laporte as his candidate for Vice Chairman.
He announced his plans, if elected, to include:
- Undertake further governance reform of World Rugby structures.
- Reinforce the international competition structure with a focus on nations outside of the Six Nations and The Rugby Championship countries.
- Strengthen the financial sustainability of the game.
- Strengthen and accelerate the development of women in rugby.
- Promote greater player dialogue with a particular focus on player welfare.
French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte also wants an annual 20-team Club World Cup. He told Midi Olympique the idea has already been discussed with World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.
The plan involves 20 teams playing over six weekends. The teams would be divided into four groups, with five teams in each group. Two teams would progress to quarter-finals, before a semi-final and grand final.
The competition would involve 4 teams from the French Top 14, 4 from the English Premiership, 4 from the PRO14 and 6 from Vodacom Super Rugby. The champions of Major League Rugby in the United States and Top League in Japan would also qualify said Laporte.
Agustin Pichot
Agustin Pichot
As an international rugby player, Pichot, won 71 caps for the Argentinean national 15s team (Pumas). He has served as the World Rugby Vice-Chairman under former England captain Beaumont for the last four years.
He was also was on the council for the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) and helped Argentina join SANZAAR and the Rugby Championship competition.
Via his social media, Pichot announced: “Coming up is a key election at critical moments for rugby, which in turn presents itself as an opportunity to align our sport globally, and that’s why I have decided to run for World Rugby President.”
He added, “The current crisis is an opportunity for the global realignment of our game. We cannot miss it…. It is time to align our global calendar and our strategic intent to attract the sustainable investment we need, or risk falling back to individual handouts or grants in the absence of a long-term vision for a global game.”
Pichot would be the first non-European chairman if he wons the political vote and succeeds Beaumont as Chairman of World Rugby. It is likely he will appeal to unions in the southern hemisphere and in developing regions such as Asia.
Part of his ideas if he becomes Chairman are to:
- Create a global game.
- Have a democratic governance structure. A long-term goal of scrapping the weighted vote system that gives more power to wealthy nations, as well as revenue sharing.
- Growing the grassroots and youth game, including the focus on developing emerging nations.
- A safe and entertaining game, featuring a dedicated World Rugby Innovation Department to look at projects such as Hawkeye technology and a flagship rugby computer game.
- Mandatory athletes’ commissions to put players at the heart of decision making – with discussions about reducing wages to create sustainability.
- A World Rugby management ‘fit for purpose’ – reviewing all internal structures to ‘restore trust’ in the governing body.
Pichot has been an outspoken member of World Rugby in his tenure as World Rugby vice-chairman:
- Pichot was a driving force behind the Nations Championship plans, involving the top 12 test nations. The plan was eventually scrapped in 2019.
- Criticised the World Rugby ranking system.
On the global game, Pichot said: “It is time to change, to focus our attention, love and dedication to all Unions and federations equally. Starting with the traditional ones who have nurtured our game to what it is today, keeping them strong.
“But also developing and supporting our emerging nations who are fighting for survival and relevance in their regions; to one day join the great stages of Test Rugby, Sevens and Rugby World Cups, being competitive and strong.”
Pichot also added on technology, that ‘Rugby is old-fashioned….. I see my kids today and realise the importance of e-sports for the new generations. They play Fortnite, League of Legends, FIFA. All of the established sports markets are connected with digital games and that is a huge means of attracting a younger audience. FIFA 2020, NBA 2K20, NFL Madden.”
‘Rugby hasn’t had decent game since Jonah Lomu Rugby in 1995, so that would be part of the remit for a dedicated World Rugby innovation department. You need to think about how you approach the modern fan. Young boys and girls. It’s not rocket science. Our game is complex, so we can use technology like HawkEye to monitor the offside line and offer more positive innovation.’
Pichot also added on streaming services “I strongly believe that platforms like Amazon Prime, Google or Netflix will become crucial players to bring more income within five years…..UFC has had a successful model a couple of years ago.”
Pichot has made plans available online.
More Asian rugby news
- Asian Games 2022 and Rugby Sevens.
- Olympics and Paralympics 2021 dates set.
- How does Coronavirus affect rugby in Asia in 2020?
- How has Asian rugby been reacting to COVID-19?
Trending Now
The Best Social 2024 Rugby Tournaments In Asia
