Former Wallaby Dr Brett Robinson elected World Rugby Chair

Australian Dr Brett Robinson has become the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to be elected Chair of the World Rugby governing body.

Appointed at World Rugby council elections in Ireland overnight on Thursday, Robinson secured the position to replace Sir Bill Beaumont ahead of France’s Abdel Benazzi and Italian contender Andrea Rinaldo to secure the powerful role for a four-year term.

Dr Robinson, aged 54, immediately promised to tackle the financial “crisis” facing many rugby nations, and to continue to make the sport more appealing to fans.

Speaking after his election, Dr Robinson, who represented Australia on the World Rugby executive board since 2016, told media after the election “it is a great privilege to be elected World Rugby Chair, it is a game I have been close to all my life and after being asked by close colleagues to step forward, and be elected, it is a really proud for me personally.”

Sir Bill Beaumont, chaired World Rugby over two terms that featured the consolidation of the global calendar, the rapid growth of women’s rugby and the game’s successful reemergence from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Born in Toowoomba, Dr Robinson made history when he became the Brumbies’ inaugural captain in 1996 and went on to represent the Wallabies in 16 Tests between 1996 and 1998 as a flanker.

Dr Robinson obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Orthopaedics at Oxford University before launching a successful corporate and sports governance career, which included a nine-year stint on the board of Rugby Australia.

Meanwhile, England’s Dr Jonathan Webb was elected World Rugby Vice-Chair from the six representatives who were elected to the Executive Board. They are:

• Northern hemisphere high performance unions (two): Susan Carty (Ireland), Jonathan Webb (England)

• Southern hemisphere high performance unions (two): Mark Alexander (South Africa), Bart Campbell (New Zealand)

• Non high performance Union (one): Sally Dennis (Canada)

• Region (one): Herbert Mensah (Rugby Africa)

Rugby Australia welcomes Dr Robinson’s election
Welcoming the election, Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Phil Waugh stated “Rugby Australia is proud to have supported Brett’s bid for World Rugby chair and looks forward to working closely with him in the years ahead.

“This is an exciting time for rugby around the world and Brett is the perfect candidate to lead the game into a confident and prosperous new era. Rugby Australia shares Brett’s vision for the future of rugby and endorses his proposed reforms that will evolve and grow the game worldwide.

“On behalf of Rugby Australia, I would also like to thank outgoing World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont for his outstanding contribution to the game since taking on the role of chair in 2016. Bill leaves the game in a better place."

Rugby Australia Chair, Daniel Herbert added “Brett’s corporate and rugby credentials are impeccable and I have no doubt his progressive leadership will propel rugby around the world to new heights.

“We look forward to the experience, modern thinking, tremendous energy and unparalleled passion for the game Brett will bring to his new role. To have an Australian in this role is historic and speaks to our global standing in the game. World Rugby is truly in the best of hands.

"From 2025, Australia will be the epicentre of the rugby world with the British and Irish Lions tour, men's and women's World Cups in 2027 and 2029 respectively and a home Olympics. There has never been a better time to play rugby or be a fan in Australia with the procession of significant global rugby events being held on our shores.”

Threat of Breakaway elite competition
Immediately after Dr Robinson’s election media reports indicated have revealed the prospect of a breakaway franchise competition in rugby, in a similar format to the Indian Premier League.

Several English newspapers have reported that organisers are understood to be looking to recruit 280 top men’s players to form eight privately owned franchises in a Formula 1-style travelling roadshow, where 14 rounds would be played in different cities throughout the world.

Reports said the breakaway league, backed by US-based investors, would also have a women’s rugby competition.

All reports stressed it was very early days in the planning of the breakaway competition, with different indications as to whether it would run alongside Test rugby, or force players to give up playing for their country.

Image: Brett Robinson is the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to be elected to World Rugby Chair. Credit: World Rugby.