In what could also prove a huge boost for the game in the country he once represented 16 times in the gold shirt, low-profile trailblazer Robinson, a one-time surgeon and now successful businessman and sports administrator, was elected to the influential post on Thursday, succeeding English legend Bill Beaumont.
The 54-year-old was voted in as the governing body’s new chief, defeating the challenge of Moroccan former French international Abdelatif Benazzi and Italian Andrea Rinaldo in Dublin.
Brett Robinson elected as World Rugby Chair— Asia Rugby (@asiarugby) https://t.co/3voEjVYmTH#Asiarugby #WorldRugby pic.twitter.com/bKPGIE3DuONovember 14, 2024
It wasn’t a straightforward triumph with Robinson, backed by support from the powerful English and New Zealand unions, only getting the nod narrowly, 27 votes to 25, from Benazzi after the second round of polling by the World Rugby Council.
The former Brumbie reckoned it was a “privilege and honour” to take the reins of a global sport whose four previous chairmen in the professional era had been from northern hemisphere countries.
Robinson, who will serve a four-year term with the possibility to stand for re-election in 2028, added: “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.”
Having been on Rugby Australia’s board for nine years and on the global body’s executive board for eight, Robinson’s candidacy was based on pushing the globalisation – and modernisation – of a game which he also feels must have more rigorous financial accountability.
His appointment could prove particularly significant for domestic rugby at a time when the Lions’ visit next year and the 2027 men’s World Cup is putting the game firmly back in the spotlight.
Robinson says he will aim to deliver “financial sustainability across all member unions” and “competitions that drive audience engagement and commercial outcomes.”
He’s also promised the progressive evolution of global growth strategy, deepened collaboration across the game and continued prioritisation of player welfare.
“Today, I reiterate my commitment as chair to do so, to harness the abundant passion in our game and to lead for all, by creating the right culture to deliver commercial outcomes for a contemporary global sport, with the commitment to set a course and see it through,” Robinson said.
As a player, Robinson might have won more caps if not for his medical studies in Brisbane and then at Oxford, where he proved a victorious captain in the Varsity match against Cambridge in 2001.
Dr. Brett Robinson lays out his commitments as World Rugby Chair — World Rugby (@WorldRugby) pic.twitter.com/lxb7aDU0FUNovember 14, 2024
After retirement, he went into the insurance industry and is now chief executive of Australia’s largest private owner of retirement villages.
His son Tom is proving a chip off the old block as a player, having recently captained Australia schoolboys to their first victory over New Zealand in five years.
Trying to increasingly develop tier-two nations to make the game more global is one of Robinson’s top priorities.
“It is not a new thing to be taking major matches to new countries or other venues to generate interest and revenue,” he told BBC Sport recently.
“If we don’t get on with it, we will miss the opportunity. So I would push us to get moving.”
With Agencies
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