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Big-thinking Argentinian Agustin Pichot to run for World Rugby's top position

By Tom Vinicombe
(Getty Images/World Rugby via Getty Images)

One of the more outspoken and open governing figures from recent times, Argentina’s Agustin Pichot, has announced a bid to run for World Rugby chairman.

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Pichot, who earned 71 caps for the Pumas, has been serving as World Rugby’s vice-chairman since 2015.

The former halfback previously acted on the council for the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) and played a key role in integrating Argentina into SANZAAR and the Southern Hemisphere’s Rugby Championship competition.

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The lads on The Rugby Pod discuss the possibility of the Champions Cup being scrapped and replaced with a World Club competition.

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The lads on The Rugby Pod discuss the possibility of the Champions Cup being scrapped and replaced with a World Club competition.

Pichot announced his intentions on Twitter:

“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 for just a few,” Pichot’s accompanying statement said.

“It is time to align our global calendar and demonstrate our strategic intent to attract the sustainable investment we need.

“It is time to change, to focus our attention, love and dedications to all Unions and federations equally.”

Pichot is widely considered one of the more progressive members of the World Rugby board. His sometimes contentious views are likely inspired by the fact that the traditional nations have typically dominated the decision-making at the highest level of the game.

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The Argentinian played a large role in World Rugby moving from a three-year eligibility period for changing nationalities to a five-year period.

Pichot caused controversy in the lead-up to last year’s World Cup when he publically lambasted the World Rugby rankings system after Wales climbed to the top of the ladder.

Following the 2019 tournament, a Pichot Tweet caused more controversy:

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The public post indicated what percentage of each World Cup teams’ players were born outside their Test nation.

The Tweet drew enormous criticism, with many calling for Pichot to resign from his post as vice-chairman.

Pichot was also a huge supporter of the proposed Nations League concept which was floated last year, which would have seen a massive shake-up of the rugby calendar and introduced a greater number of games between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations.

Bill Beaumont, the current World Rugby chairman, recently announced he would be standing for a second term as the head of the governing body with Federation Francaise de Rugby president Bernard Laporte as his running mate.

Beaumont’s four years in charge have not seen any radical changes at the highest level of the men’s game. However, a greater number of inter-Tier Test matches are on the calendar for the upcoming World Cup cycle and the women’s game is in a better position than ever before.

Pichot’s somewhat more extreme ideas could see significant changes in the game if he were elected.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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