Beaumont comes out fighting after Pichot announces rival election bid
Bill Beaumont has pledged an independent review of World Rugby’s governance after being challenged in his bid to remain as chairman. The ex-Grand Slam-winning England captain has reacted quickly after vice-chairman Agustin Pichot announced at the weekend he was standing for chairman.
Beaumont had confirmed his re-election bid in January on a ticket with French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte as his proposed vice-chairman.
The 68-year-old had previously outlined five key manifesto pledges – governance reform, reinforcing international competitions with a focus outside the traditional rugby nations, strengthening financial sustainability, consulting players to improve their welfare, and developing the women’s game.
Now he has proposed a “wide-ranging governance review led by two independently appointed people”. He promised to consult “all major rugby stakeholders” as well as experts outside the game to help bring in fresh ideas.
Beaumont, who was elected alongside Pichot in 2016, added: “Our aim is to have a more representative and diverse international federation that better serves the game, not one that is seen to only support the ‘old guard’.
A massive thanks to @RugbyPass and especially to my old mate @jimhamilton4 for telling my story #getbusyliving https://t.co/pZTwR8dOGN
— Matt Hampson (@Hambofoundation) April 13, 2020
“For rugby to thrive we need for it to grow into a global sport and move beyond its traditional territories. To achieve this we need a coherent and meaningful global calendar that supports those at the top of the game and develops those aspiring to be there.
“We also need to make our sport more attractive to everyone who plays and watches, as well as the broadcasters.”
Promises also included a review of financial policies and how World Rugby funds the game, arguing it should not “rely on those who have traditionally financially underpinned the game”.
International eligibility rules would also be reviewed to “see how we can support the longevity” of international careers. Rules will change on December 31 to ensure players must be resident in a country for five years instead of three before they can switch allegiance.
The former RFU chairman added: “Coronavirus is undoubtedly the greatest challenge rugby has faced in recent years. For the sport to emerge stronger from this crisis we must work together and help each other through the tough times.”
Pichot’s late entrance to the running for the four-year term has already been backed by former England head coach Clive Woodward. The former Bristol and Argentina captain had described the health crisis as an opportunity for the “global realignment” of the game.
The 45-year-old argued it was time for commercial and professional income to benefit all and empower rugby’s global growth, “moving on from the time where those benefits were for just a few”. The election is due to be held next month.
– Press Association
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Ultimately it is the entire NZR board who should be sacked. Foster wants to be the ABs coach, you can't blame him for that. NZR appointed him in what was a terrible process for actually finding the right candidate, more of a coronation based on the false assumption of "continuity" - it was clear from the BIL tour in 2017 which direction the ABs were heading, continuing that seemed crazy by they decided to do it anyway. They then reappointed him before he had faced a true test before the NH tour of 2021 which was a disaster. They could have sacked him then. They could have sacked him after the Ireland series where it was clear the ABs were well of the pace. They could have done it after the tests in SA which despite being 1-1 were not in the least bit convincing. Basically they have backed the guy every year, but now in the lead up to the world cup they have decided he's definitely not the right guy, yet he remains the coach.
Go to comments"taking the land they felt had been stolen from them during the colonial era" the land had been stolen, and the requisitions were entirely justified. I'm very sorry that Negri's family were hurt but this article is basically just propaganda for apartheid.
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