Brett Robinson elected as first Southern Hemisphere World Rugby Chair

Former ACT Brumbies captain Dr. Brett Robinson has been elected as the new Chair of World Rugby, marking a historic milestone as the first leader from the southern hemisphere.

The announcement followed two rounds of voting during the 2024 Interim Council meeting in Dublin, Ireland.

Robinson, 54, was selected over candidates Abdelatif Benazzi (France) and Andrea Rinaldo (Italy) by the 52-member World Rugby Council in a secret ballot overseen by scrutineers and independent observers. He will serve a four-year term with the option to stand for re-election in 2028.

Robinson’s Vision for Rugby’s Future

In his address to the Council, Robinson expressed his gratitude and outlined his ambitious goals for the sport:

“It is an immense privilege and honour to have been elected World Rugby Chair by my Council colleagues today. 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 pledged to prioritize financial sustainability across member unions, enhance audience engagement through improved competitions, and promote growth in player safety, law reform, and innovation.

He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture that balances commercial outcomes with the passion and integrity of the sport, stating his commitment to work collaboratively with the World Rugby Executive Board, member unions, and other stakeholders.

Succeeding Sir Bill Beaumont

Robinson succeeds Sir Bill Beaumont, whose tenure spanned the maximum eight years. Beaumont is celebrated for his leadership during transformative periods, including the expansion of men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, governance reforms, and navigating the sport through the challenges of the global pandemic. His efforts also contributed to strengthening relationships with professional leagues and player bodies while fostering the rapid growth of women’s rugby.

Robinson's election ushers in a new era for World Rugby as the organization seeks to build on its global growth agenda and drive the sport forward in a competitive, ever-changing sports landscape.