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Yesterday at 11:20 AM International
by Beth Newman
Argentinian Test legend Agustin Pichot is set to challenge Bill Beaumont as World Rugby chairman in the upcoming elections.
Pichot, who is currently the body's vice-chairman, on Sunday declared his intent to challenge Beaumont for the top job, which will be voted on at May's World Rugby Council meetings.
The 71-Test Pumas scrumhalf announced the move on Twitter, with an accompanying statement calling for unity and a "long-term vision for a global game".
"It is time to think of a sport where professional and commercial income is becoming a true benefit for all, by empowering rugby's growth around the world and by moving on from the time where those benefits were just for a few," the statement read.
"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."
Beaumont is bidding for a second term, opting to take France's Bernard Laporte as his candidate for the vice-chairmanship rather than Pichot.
World Rugby elections have historically been fairly straightforward and Beaumont was initially expected to run unopposed after signalling his hopes for a second term.
Outspoken Pichot has courted some controversy with his views and comments in recent years as World Rugby vice-chairman.
The former Argentinian Test scrumhalf was the biggest driver in the development of the ultimately scrapped Nations Championship concept.
Unable to get unanimous support for the international competition, the plans were ultimately scuppered last June but Pichot has spoken about his determination to revive the idea.
One of his most debated moments was a tweet in which he listed the percentage of Test players playing in the November Tests born outside of the nation they represent.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/0...bid-gus-pichot
That tweet prompted some to call for his resignation at the time.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Current WR Council
Chairman
Bill Beaumont
Vice-Chairman
Agustín Pichot (Argentina)
Argentina
Sol Iglesias
Marcelo Rodriguez
Australia
Raelene Castle
Cameron Clyne
Brett Robinson
Canada
Pat Parfrey
England
Deborah Griffin
Bill Sweeney
Jonathan Webb
Fiji
Francis Kean
France
Brigitte Jugla
Bernard Laporte
Serge Simon
Georgia
George Nijaradze
Ireland
Susan Carty
John O’Driscoll
Philip Orr
Italy
Alfredo Gavazzi
Nino Sacca
Susanna Vecchi
Japan
Kensuke Iwabuchi
Naoko Saiki
New Zealand
Deb Robinson
Mark Robinson
To be appointed
Romania
Alin Petrache
Samoa
Tuilaepa S. L. Malielegaoi
Scotland
Mark Dodson
John Jeffrey
Lesley Thomson
South Africa
Mark Alexander
Vanessa Doble
Jurie Roux
Uruguay
Fernando de Posadas
USA
Bob Latham
Wales
Robert Butcher
Gareth Davies
Julie Paterson
Asia Rugby
Terence Khoo
Ada Milby
Oceania Rugby
Richard Sapias
Cathy Wong
Rugby Africa
Khaled Babbou
Rolande Boro
Rugby Americas North
Dennis Dwyer
Cristina Flores
Rugby Europe
Octavian Morariu
Veronika Muehlhofer
Sudamerica Rugby
Claudia Betancur
Sebastian Piñeyrua
https://www.world.rugby/organisation/structure/council
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Clyne was only voted on just recently (maybe 18 months or so ago?).
Not sure how long the terms are but Clyne and Robinson should both bugger off NOW.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
I wish Cathy Wong would nominate as Chair. A Fijian woman of extreme intelligence, indomitable strength and generosity, who took the Fijians to Olympic gold and continues to do amazing things for Oceania Rugby.
That is a Chair who would get things done (and done right), would cut right through all the politics and bullshit in a no-nonsense yet very disarming way, and would breathe new life into the game. A leader who actually has proven leadership skills! Wow!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby