Agustin Pichot Thinks He Can Save Rugby; Unions Are 'On Their Knees'
A pompous, confrontational presence on the rugby field, Agustin Pichot has never done anything quietly — a boldness that he now brings into the boardrooms of the country. "I've always knocked like a woodpecker for things to happen," the former scrumhalf unfolded. "And that made me probably an average rugby player. I was very stubborn and committed to doing things." Agustin Pichot is humble. He became a talismanic symbol for Argentine rugby over the duration of his 71 international caps, captaining the Pumas during a third-place breakthrough performance at the 2007 World Cup. These days, he is lending his voice to the political side of the nation. Pichot now hopes to replace former England captain Bill Beaumont as chairman, after rising to the position of World Rugby Vice-Chairman in 2016. The World Rugby Council will vote on Sunday whether it is Pichot or Beaumont, 23 years senior of the Argentine, who will guide the governing body forwards. In 2016, Pichot saw rugby seven make his Olympic debut, helped bring seven tournaments to Vancouver and Singapore, and extended the residency rules for rugby from three to five years — ensuring that countries could better keep top players living overseas. But he is said disappointment with the current course of the sport has pushed him to run for top job. Agustin Pichot states, "The game is in desperate need -- not of myself -- but of different mindsets." "I've been part of World Rugby and at some stage I felt that that cadence of change or transformation was very blocked by some conservative way of thinking. The structure, the mindset of doing copy paste all over again.” "I said to Bill, 'I can't carry on for four more years, just sitting down flying in first class and going to royal boxes. "'I don't do that. If I don't think I can transform, I'll go home' ... And that's why I decided to run." An Opportunity to Reset Controversy has already emerged over the forthcoming elections. The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) chairman Francis Kean, who backed Beaumont's bid for re-election, has been suspended by World Rugby on charges of racism and sexism. It was asked FRU leader John O'Connor for comment but received no reply. Of the 51 World Rugby Council members who will vote at the elections this weekend, 30 are divided between 10 nations – Argentina, Australia, England, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Scotland, and Wales. Beaumont, a former England and captain of the British and Irish Lions, runs alongside French rugby leader Bernard Laporte, who is the only vice-chairman nominee. As president of the Rugby Football Union of England, Beaumont was overseeing the 2015 Rugby World Cup — at the time, a competition that attracted record-breaking attendances — and succeeded Bernard Lapasset at the forefront of World Rugby in 2016.
Beaumont stated, "At this unprecedented challenging time, I am working hard with all stakeholders to guide rugby through the COVID-19 crisis and to shape and build the strongest future for the global game. My manifesto, with Bernard Laporte, outlines my vision of a game for all." His manifesto proposes a study of the governance of the game and a restructuring of the global season, as well as a greater emphasis on women's rugby, player welfare and monetary policy for World Rugby. The coronavirus pandemic has put this latter into sharp focus as employers struggle to achieve fiscal parity. Do not forget leaving your valuable comment on this piece of writing and sharing with your near and dear ones. To keep yourself up-to-date with Information Palace, put your email in the space given below and Subscribe. Furthermore, if you yearn to know about the update regarding Aliens’ presence, view our construct, ‘Astronomers Find 'Alien' Asteroids Which Live in Our Solar System’. Read the full article
