Australian Brett Robinson has been officially elected as the new chairman of World Rugby, taking over from former England captain Sir Bill Beaumont, who steps down after an impactful eight-year tenure in the role.
The election took place during a World Rugby meeting in Dublin on Thursday, where Robinson narrowly defeated France’s Abdelatif Benazzi by a margin of two votes, marking a pivotal moment in the sport’s governance.
Who is Brett Robinson?
With Thursday’s vote, history was made as Dr. Brett Robinson became the first individual from the southern hemisphere to ascend to the prestigious position of World Rugby chairman.
A former Australian flanker, Robinson earned 16 caps for the Wallabies between 1996 and 1998 and has experience as captain of the ACT Brumbies in the Super 12 competition.
Robinson’s professional rugby career was notably influenced by his commitment to medicine, as he prioritized earning a medical degree from the University of Queensland. “My personal purpose when I was growing up was always to be concerned about people’s well-being,” he expressed in a 2021 interview, highlighting the depth of his dedication to healthcare.
In addition to his medical training, he also pursued academic excellence at Oxford University, where he obtained a doctorate degree in philosophy, concentrating on clinical orthopaedics.
Post-retirement, he stepped into leadership roles within Rugby Australia, serving as both the high-performance manager and the assistant chair, while also accumulating experience in various senior business positions.
His campaign for the World Rugby chair was bolstered by support from England, as well as New Zealand, highlighting a collaborative international effort within the rugby community.
What is his plan for rugby?
Upon his historic election, Robinson outlined a strategic vision focused on five key pillars: financial sustainability, growth, fan engagement, player safety, and a cultural overhaul of the governing body.
Robinson’s approach promises a methodical enhancement of existing frameworks rather than radical transformation. He believes the organization can optimize its current initiatives without needing to overhaul everything from scratch.
His closest rival, former France captain Benazzi, was fully supported by South Africa, which illustrated the absence of a clear northern versus southern hemisphere divide in this election outcome.
One of Robinson’s primary goals is to address the financial challenges facing rugby by expanding the sport into new markets while carefully managing operational costs. He played a significant role in the decision to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States, expressing his enthusiasm for promoting opportunities in untouched regions, including the Middle East.
Robinson is keenly aware of the need for the sport to adapt and evolve, and he voiced his disappointment at the failed bid for a Nations Championship in 2019, emphasizing the importance of seizing future opportunities to prevent repeated setbacks.
Alongside financial navigation, he is dedicated to advancing the women’s game, recognizing its potential as a significant growth sector for rugby. The upcoming World Cup in England is anticipated to set new benchmarks for success and visibility within women’s rugby.
Moreover, Robinson underscored the urgency for rugby to remain competitive in a landscape increasingly dominated by other professional sports. “The projections of a £530 million surplus from the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia or £700m in the United States in 2031 will only happen if we continue to grow,” he stated, highlighting the need for proactive strategies.
Benazzi concurred on the necessity for rugby to expand into new markets but openly disagreed with the controversial 20-minute red card initiative being piloted.
Drawing from his medical background, Robinson intends to advocate for player welfare, confidently asserting that the game is making strides in addressing concussion protocols and player safety. He praised forward-thinking initiatives, such as the adoption of mouthguards that help track the impact of collisions during matches.
What does he need to solve?
It is no secret that rugby’s financial future hangs in the balance. Robinson has been candid about impending fiscal challenges, indicating a severe strain on many top unions across the globe. On a recent episode of the Good, Bad and the Rugby podcast, he remarked that the financial state of elite rugby unions is “if not creaking, completely busted.”
The financial instability has manifested at a domestic level, with notable English clubs such as London Wasps, London Irish, and Worcester folding, alongside the collapse of Australia’s Melbourne Rebels.
Robinson has accepted this monumental task with a sense of humility, stating, “I’m quite humbled to be asked to step into the chair, but I’m impatient.” He emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts within the sport to facilitate meaningful changes.
Moreover, there’s a pressing need to enrich the on-field product to draw in younger audiences, as recent rule changes have sometimes alienated potential new fans. For instance, Rugby Australia faces significant competition from the NRL and AFL, indicating that more strategic measures are needed to promote the 15-a-side code.
In England, rugby continually vies for the position of the second most popular sport after football. The Premiership has been actively seeking new ways to attract audiences, even as interest in events like the Six Nations remains robust.
World Rugby is also implementing measures aimed at speeding up the game, including the introduction of shot clocks for scrums and lineouts and trials for 20-minute red cards. However, Robinson understands that further steps are essential to redefine rugby’s global appeal.
How does Dr. Robinson plan to enhance player welfare and safety in rugby?
**Interview with Dr. Brett Robinson: Newly Elected Chairman of World Rugby**
*Interviewer*: Congratulations on your recent election as the Chairman of World Rugby, Dr. Robinson! How does it feel to make history as the first chairman from the southern hemisphere?
*Brett Robinson*: Thank you! It’s truly an honor and a privilege. Being the first from the southern hemisphere gives me a unique perspective, and I hope to represent all member nations while celebrating our diverse rugby culture. This election reflects a commitment to collaboration across the globe.
*Interviewer*: You won the election by a narrow margin against Abdelatif Benazzi. What do you think made the difference in your campaign?
*Brett Robinson*: It was a collective effort, fueled by support from countries like England and New Zealand. I focused on a shared vision that prioritizes financial sustainability, growth, fan engagement, player safety, and cultural renewal within the governing body. Building consensus was key.
*Interviewer*: Your professional background is quite unique, blending both rugby and medicine. How will that influence your approach as chairman?
*Brett Robinson*: My medical career shapes my commitment to player welfare. I believe in ensuring the game’s safety protocols keep pace with sports science and the realities athletes face. With ongoing research and initiatives in concussion protocols, we must ensure our players are protected.
*Interviewer*: You’ve outlined a plan centered around financial sustainability and market expansion. Can you elaborate on your vision for the sport’s growth?
*Brett Robinson*: Sure! We need to embrace new markets—like the Middle East—and leverage events like the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States. Additionally, advancing the women’s game is critical; I see it as a significant growth sector. We’ll focus on successful execution, seeking pathways to financial health while broadening rugby’s reach globally.
*Interviewer*: You mentioned the disappointment surrounding the failed Nations Championship bid in 2019. What can be done to prevent such setbacks in the future?
*Brett Robinson*: We must learn from those experiences. Engaging stakeholders early, identifying market needs, and building a compelling narrative around proposed initiatives are crucial. Collaboration is essential, and together we can work toward meaningful opportunities for the sport.
*Interviewer*: Looking ahead, what is your most urgent priority as chairman?
*Brett Robinson*: Immediate priorities include solidifying our financial foundations and enhancing player welfare. Rugby must be competitive against other sports, and we must ensure that we grow, not just survive. Our success will hinge on proactive strategies that meet the changing dynamics of sports today.
*Interviewer*: Thank you, Dr. Robinson, for sharing your insights, and once again, congratulations on your election!
*Brett Robinson*: Thank you for having me! I’m excited about the journey ahead and eager to work with everyone involved in rugby to drive positive change.