Three candidates confirmed for World Rugby Chair

Three candidates will contest the election for World Rugby President at the Interim Meeting of Council in Dublin, Ireland, on November 14, 2024.

Abdelatif Benazzi (France) nominated by France and seconded by South Africa

Andrea Rinaldo (Italy), nominated by Italy and seconded by Ireland

Brett Robinson (Australia), nominated by Australia and seconded by England

Meanwhile, 13 nominations have been received for the six available positions on the World Rugby Executive Board, the first to sit under a new board mandate with expanded independent, player, national and regional representation. They are:

High Performance Union (North) (x2)

Susan Carty (Ireland) nominated by Ireland and seconded by England

Richard Collier-Keywood (Wales), nominated by Wales and seconded by South Africa

Jonathan Webb (England) nominated by England and seconded by New Zealand

High Performance Union (South) (x2)

Mark Alexander (South Africa) nominated by South Africa and seconded by France and New Zealand

Bart Campbell (New Zealand) nominated by New Zealand and seconded by South Africa

John Eales (Australia) nominated by Australia and seconded by Oceania Rugby

Agustín Pichot (Argentina), nominated by Argentina and seconded by Sudamérica Rugby

Non-high-performance union (x1)

Sally Dennis (Canada) nominated by Canada and seconded by Japan

Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi (Samoa), nominated by Samoa and seconded by New Zealand

Sebastian Piñeyrúa (Uruguay), nominated by Uruguay and seconded by Argentina

Regional Association (x1)

Qais Al-Dhalai (Asia Rugby) nominated by Asia Rugby and seconded by Fiji

Herbert Mensah (Rugby Africa) nominated by Rugby Africa and seconded by South Africa

Richard Sapias (Oceania Rugby) nominated by Oceania Rugby and seconded by New Zealand

In accordance with Regulation 9, all nominations were received, proposed and seconded by an affiliated union or regional association by the October 15 deadline, and were subject to a vetting process.

During the meeting, the 52 members of the Board will first elect the new chairman, followed by six members of the Board of Directors, from whom the vice-chairman will be elected. The process will be monitored by auditors and the voting results will be published. Elected officials will serve a term of up to four years, depending on whether previously appointed individuals do not reach the total term of eight years within this period (this does not apply to the President-elect, who can serve a maximum of two terms).

The six elected representatives will join the World Rugby Chair, World Rugby Chief Executive, Independent EventsCo Chair (appointed following an independent recruitment process), three independent members (approved by the Council – two women, including Angela Ruggiero whose current term runs until until 2027) and two representatives of athletes nominated by International Rugby Players (IRP) (appointments approved by the Board, one male, one female) to the Board of Directors. …PACNEWS/WORLD RUGBY