Agustin Pichot’s World Rugby chairman bid targets tier two nations as sport’s ‘long term future is in Africa and Asia’
- Argentinian great believes the focus on established nations has meant rugby misses massive potential in Africa and Asia, but he intends to change the mindset
- Pichot wants to build regional tournaments for men and women, in sevens and 15s, to give teams a chance to play more regularly and at a higher standard
Agustin Pichot believes rugby has missed massive opportunities for growth in Asia and Africa and part of his bid to become World Rugby chairman involves building pathways for those regions to blossom.
“I have a lot of optimism in Asia,” the former Argentinian scrum-half said. “It is a massive place for growth. I think the future [for rugby] long term is in Asia and Africa. If you look at the numbers there are countries we haven’t explored and I think it will be great to look at how we can be better there. We haven’t had the focus, we’ve been obsessed with the professional game in the established nations.”
Pichot launched a surprise bid for the role of chairman against incumbent Bill Beaumont. The race between the two has been framed as the reformer Pichot against the status quo of Beaumont, although both have declared an aim to promote the second tier nations.
The winner requires 26 of the 51 votes available. The Six Nations – Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy – hold 18 of those votes and are expected to back Beaumont. The Rugby Championship nation’s – Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – also have three votes each and are expected to back Pichot. Fiji seconded Beaumont’s run for chairman, so will vote for him. But as Pichot is making the tier two nations so central to his campaign, he is likely to receive masses of support from the less established blocs.
It is going to come down to the wire and the four votes available in Asia – two from Japan and two from the rest of Asia – could prove crucial.
