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One day after World Rugby announced the seeding process and the draw for RWC 2023, the organization’s Vice-Chairman has publicly slammed the decision.
In an astonishing criticism, which shakes the credibility of World Rugby, Agustín Pichot tweeted in response to Andy Nicol. The former Scotland captain asked by the draw for RWC 2023 was being made in 2020? He did so by tagging Pichot and World Rugby Chairman, Bill Beaumont.
Pichot responed to Nicol by saying:
“Have no idea why Andy. Wasn’t informed or consulted. Completely against it…. but….”
Pichot’s tweet noted that he was not notified of the decision by the RWC 2023 tournament organizers. This is unthinkable considering he is the second in command of rugby’s global governing body.
If the lack of communication and coherent decision-making were not bad enough, it got worse as Pichot made it known that he is opposed to the draw being made so early.
France 2023 was determined following a voting process. It saw World Rugby’s preferred candidate, South Africa outvoted. The overriding factor in the decision was that voters opted for the strongest financial option of the bids. France had popular backing from emerging unions and regions.
Pichot captained Argentina at RWC 2007 in France. In the prior tournament he led his country in Australia 2023 where he slammed tournament organizers for their match schedule which saw Argentina having six fewer days than Ireland despite playing in the same pool. In the tournament, Los Pumas played their fourth pool match before England had played their third.
The decision to have the draw for RWC 2023 in 2020 dispels a myth that a safe option requires less preparation to sell tickets. The reason for an early draw is to speed up the process, so that the most and least marketable matches can be spread accordingly. Instead of having the draw in 2022, World Rugby have had it early.
