Agustín Pichot will not be the president but leaves pressure on Bill Beaumont's mandate

Credit: WorldRugby.org

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He did not lack much but at the same time he was able to build a lot. Agustín Pichot was surpassed by Bill Beaumont in the race for the World Rugby presidential chair which will continue to be held by the English for four more years.

"Congratulations Bill. It did not happen. Thank you all !!!! From the heart, wrote the Argentine in a tweet immediately after the result was known.

According to the official statement, the result was 28 votes for Beaumont against 23 for the Argentine. This means, according to Pichot's own estimate that the four votes in doubt (two from Japan and two from Africa) went to the sack of the reelected president. "I want to thank Gus Pichot for his friendship and support over the past four years. Although we faced each other in this campaign we were aligned in many ways and I respect him most. Gus is passionate about sports and his contribution was very significant Beaumont said through an official statement from World Rugby. Regardless of the defeat the Argentine made an enormous election in which he started from behind and was gaining wills even from countries that seemed adverse and even within others that voted for the status quo. To the point that Wales was forced to chant its vote in favor of Beaumont after rumors arose that one of the Six Nations would turn its back on it. Finally the block remained united but Pichot managed to twist several votes that initially seemed to be on the side of continuity. His application reverberated within the oval world and left a clear message that there are entrenched structures that, beyond the leaders on duty it is necessary to change quickly and put enormous pressure on the new mandate.

Beaumont ends up prevailing after a voting process that was at least controversial. World Rugby insisted on keeping the date despite the state of global paralysis something Pichot disagreed with, and implemented a system that led to speculation. Beyond the fact that for reasons of force majeure it was carried out electronically (via e-mail to an audit firm in Switzerland: PWC). It was not transparent that it covered four days which enabled speculation and negotiation. The fact that the vote was secret and not by show of hands fueled this situation. While some members made their preference public others kept it under four keys and allowed themselves to negotiate with this situation.

England, Wales, France, Italy, Canada and Europe made their preference for Beaumont public, while Pichot had the explicit endorsement of Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Asia and Uruguay. The rest of the votes were not released but it is estimated that the winner had the other unions of the Six Nations one of the two votes of North America, Fiji and Samoa and depending on the final result it appears that the two from Africa and both from Japan. Beaumont's election represents the victory of the status quo. Although his platform was not far from Pichot's and also proclaimed the need for a transformation to make rugby a global sport, the permanence of English implies that power will continue to be concentrated in the central countries. If there are indeed changes that drive some kind of growth, it will only be through a slow process. In the last four years we have accomplished a lot, but we are halfway there and we need to push more in the second half, Beaumont continued. I have a clear mandate to work with Bernard Laporte to implement and progressive meaningful and sustainable change. Beaumont made his proposals public through a manifesto in which he poured out general and unspecific ideas and in a handful of interviews. The greatest emphasis in English is on reviewing World Rugby's governance structure and business model. Like Pichot, it augurs more opportunities for those selected for Tier 2 although it does not specify in what way. One thing is for sure neither the Six Nations nor the British & Irish Lions tour of the southern hemisphere every four years touch each other. Thus, a World League like the one Pichot had imagined seems impossible. A variant could be played in international windows, with promotions and descents preventing the same 10-12 teams from repeating themselves. There are other international competitions but there are windows in July and November and if we put them together we could have two full months and put together a tournament. Obviously it would not be annual, because there is the World Cup, the Lions. But let's reflect. Such a competition would be exciting!, he said during the campaign in an interview with AFP.

Thus, the crossing between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations would be limited to the two international windows in which there must also necessarily be parties between the powers of the north and the south. Given this scenario, it is valid to ask why Tier 2 unions leaned towards Beaumont. On the one hand, not everyone was convinced of the World League that Pichot proposed since although it gave equal opportunities for everyone it limited the number of countries that could go up to the League to two or three in principle (then mobility would depend sporting success but completely shut out the rest, at least until they were promoted. Furthermore, long standing political issues and ties persist that make it difficult to break the status quo not forgetting that most unions are governed by a conservative establishment with leaders more responsive to Beaumont's stiff profile (68 years) than unease and Pichot strength (45).

Beyond the boost Pichot gave to the region of the Americas, the relationship between the English-speaking countries and England has its weight. Hence, the four votes from North America (two from the region one from Canada and one from the United States) have been divided equally. And that the United States supported the Argentine despite some differences that they had sustained after he became a member of its Board of Directors. In Oceania, beyond the support of the Sanzaar (Australia and New Zealand), the votes were also divided. While the region supported Pichot, Samoa and Fiji went with the English. Beaumont had promoted the candidacy of Francis Keane, President of the Union of Fiji, and beyond the scandal that forced him out of the election (he was accused by international human rights organizations of violent homophobia), the alliance remained standing. In addition, Beaumont played a smart card (in political matters, at least) when in his manifesto he included the possibility that players who play nationalized for another selected team could after a while represent their country of origin. There are many islanders who play for All Blacks, Wallabies and even selected Europeans. Other Beaumont initiatives less tangible to the fan include transforming World Rugby's governance structure reviewing financial policy for better revenue distribution and transparency, and continuing to monitor the rules for prioritize the health of the players and the incentive for women's rugby. As an organization we must lead be transparent, trustworthy and continue to work for everyone, Beaumont continued. We must be united in our drive to make this great sport even better, simpler, safer and more accessible. We must listen to players, fans, competitions, unions and regions and make decisions that are in everyone's best interest with our values ​​as guide. Sir William Bleckledge Beaumont was born in Chorley, Lancashire, North West England (near Manchester and Liverpool). He played for Fylde Rugby Club from the age of 17, represented England in 34 Test Matches between 1975 and 1982 and became captain of the Rose. He also wore the British & Irish Lions (7 caps) and Barbarians (15 games) jersey. After retiring prematurely due to injury at age 33, he began his career as a leader within the English Union (RFU) which he chaired between 2012 and 2016 the year he assumed the highest position in World Rugby and where he will be seated by four plus.