Ex-Wallaby Brett Robinson voted World Rugby chairman

Thursday at 01:41 PM

Brett Robinson, the former Wallabies back-row forward, has been elected as the first non-European chairman of World Rugby in a huge boost for the game in Australia.

The 54-year-old was voted as the governing body’s new leading official ahead of Frenchman Abdelatif Benazzi and Italian Andrea Rinaldo in Dublin on Thursday and will now succeed England’s Bill Beaumont in the prestigious and influential role.

Robinson, a surgeon turned businessman and sports administrator, won after two rounds of voting at a meeting of the World Rugby council in the Irish capital and will serve a four-year term, with the possibility to stand for re-election in 2028.

“It is an immense privilege and honour to have been elected World Rugby chair by my council colleagues today,” Robinson said.

“During the course of the process, I have had many conversations with my colleagues around the world and am heartened by our shared ambition to continue to build on the strength of our game.”

Robinson, who was on Rugby Australia’s board for nine years, has been on the global body’s executive board for eight years, with his appointment looking especially significant for domestic rugby at a time when the Lions’ visit next year and the 2027 World Cup is putting the game firmly back in the spotlight.

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