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Big-thinking Argentinian Agustin Pichot to run for World Rugby's top position

(Getty Images/World Rugby via Getty Images)

One of the more outspoken and open governing figures from recent times, Argentina’s Agustin Pichot, has announced a bid to run for World Rugby chairman.

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Pichot, who earned 71 caps for the Pumas, has been serving as World Rugby’s vice-chairman since 2015.

The former halfback previously acted on the council for the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) and played a key role in integrating Argentina into SANZAAR and the Southern Hemisphere’s Rugby Championship competition.

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The lads on The Rugby Pod discuss the possibility of the Champions Cup being scrapped and replaced with a World Club competition.

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The lads on The Rugby Pod discuss the possibility of the Champions Cup being scrapped and replaced with a World Club competition.

Pichot announced his intentions on Twitter:

“It is time to think of a sport where professional and commercial income is becoming a true benefit for all, by empowering Rugby’s growth around the world and by moving on from the time where those benefits were for just a few,” Pichot’s accompanying statement said.

“It is time to align our global calendar and demonstrate our strategic intent to attract the sustainable investment we need.

“It is time to change, to focus our attention, love and dedications to all Unions and federations equally.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-yIhRcAdR5/

Pichot is widely considered one of the more progressive members of the World Rugby board. His sometimes contentious views are likely inspired by the fact that the traditional nations have typically dominated the decision-making at the highest level of the game.

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The Argentinian played a large role in World Rugby moving from a three-year eligibility period for changing nationalities to a five-year period.

Pichot caused controversy in the lead-up to last year’s World Cup when he publically lambasted the World Rugby rankings system after Wales climbed to the top of the ladder.

Following the 2019 tournament, a Pichot Tweet caused more controversy:

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The public post indicated what percentage of each World Cup teams’ players were born outside their Test nation.

The Tweet drew enormous criticism, with many calling for Pichot to resign from his post as vice-chairman.

Pichot was also a huge supporter of the proposed Nations League concept which was floated last year, which would have seen a massive shake-up of the rugby calendar and introduced a greater number of games between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations.

Bill Beaumont, the current World Rugby chairman, recently announced he would be standing for a second term as the head of the governing body with Federation Francaise de Rugby president Bernard Laporte as his running mate.

Beaumont’s four years in charge have not seen any radical changes at the highest level of the men’s game. However, a greater number of inter-Tier Test matches are on the calendar for the upcoming World Cup cycle and the women’s game is in a better position than ever before.

Pichot’s somewhat more extreme ideas could see significant changes in the game if he were elected.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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