Australian Dr. Brett Robinson has been elected as the new chair of World Rugby, succeeding Sir Bill Beaumont in the top job. 

Robinson beat former France international Abdelatif Benazzi and ex-Italy cap Andrea Rinaldo to take on the top job at a meeting of the World Rugby Council in Dublin on Thursday. 

Scotland's John Jeffrey, who served as vice-chair during Beaumont's tenure, had been anticipated to take on the role but withdrew in September after failing to get the backing of his own union. 

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Robinson, 54, was nominated for the role by Australia and seconded by England, and won after two rounds of voting by the 52 members of the World Rugby Council. 

Robinson will serve a four-year term, with the possibility to stand for re-election for a second four-year term in 2028.

The new World Rugby chair said: “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."

His aims during his four years in office are to deliver: 

  • Financial sustainability across all member unions 
  • Prudent execution of the next phase of World Rugby’s global growth agenda
  • Competitions that drive audience engagement and commercial outcomes
  • Fan and player growth through investment in player safety, law reform and innovation
  • A disciplined and fit-for-purpose governing body.

Robinson added: "I reiterate my commitment as Chair to do so, to harness the abundant passion in our game and to lead for all, by creating the right culture to deliver commercial outcomes for a contemporary global sport, with the commitment to set a course and see it through.

"I look forward to now getting to work with the new World Rugby Executive Board, Alan [Gilpin, chief executive] and the World Rugby executive and my colleagues in the member unions.”

Voting results

Round 1

Abdelatif Benazzi 21
Andrea Rinaldo 9 (eliminated)
Brett Robinson 22

Round 2

Abdelatif Benazzi 25
Brett Robinson 27