Benazzi, Robinson and Rinaldo vying for the most powerful position in world rugby

The most powerful position in rugby will be filled when the next chairman of the sport’s global governing body is elected in Dublin on Thursday. 8 Abdelatif Benazzi, former Australia flanker Brett Robinson and former Italy lock Andrea Rinaldo are the three candidates to succeed Bill Beaumont, who is stepping down after eight years in the role at World Rugby. Here’s a look at the three candidates: Abdelatif Benazzi Born and raised in Morocco and a member of the French squad which reached the 1999 World Cup final, Benazzi has presented himself as a champion of the global game and someone who can broaden rugby’s appeal beyond its traditional strongholds and into regions like his native Africa. Benazzi told the BBC he wants to build “links between big unions and the new regions” because, in his opinion, rugby’s current financial model is “not a safe strategy for the future.” High on his wish-list is an international competition in Africa to increase the number of competitive games played there and for greater representation inside World Rugby for emerging nations so the sport can “hear more voices” and be less conservative. Brett Robinson The 16-cap Wallaby has been a member of World Rugby’s executive board since 2016 and has long been viewed as the man most likely to succeed Beaumont, ensuring a certain amount of continuity.