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For the first time in ever an Italian is running as a candidate to be the World Rugby chairman. The Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) are backing the candidacy of Professor Andrea Rinaldo for the upcoming elections in November 2024.
Professor Andrea Rinaldo is the only contender not from the traditional Tier 1 countries. Current chairman, Bill Beaumont, is British as is his vice-chairman John Jeffrey. The Scot is a candidate for election as is Australian Brett Robinson. All prior chairmen have been from Five Nations’ Unions.
Speaking with Mark Palmer of The Times, Rinaldo made his position clear. He would like to to utilize a more scientific approach to run rugby. In doing so, he notably is the one candidate offering a position not strongly of the position of the traditional unions.
Professor Rinaldo noted his admiration for others. He pointed out that Tonga and Argentina are examples of countries to whom television rights are not the central issue; instead, such countries would like World Rugby to provide a link between the executive and the movement. He contends that such an approach would see that decisions are made in the interests of all stakeholders.
He notes that the World Rugby Council’s discussion over the Orange Card in rugby was a mess. Council members did not listen to each-others positions. He deems that the sport needs someone to oversee such processes so as to have scientific reasoning outweighing subjective wishes of those with votes.
He is a scientist. Andrea Rinaldo is a professor of hydrology and water resources and directs the Laboratory of Ecohydrology at Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. His research led to a theory of self-organized fractal river networks and of efficient transportation networks.
Professor Rinaldo is a former Italian player. He played for Petrarca, winning three Italian titles. He earned four caps for the Azzurri. He was chairman of Petrarca Rugby from 1996-2003 and FIR Federal Councilor from 2012-2016 and 2016-2020. He also has over 20 yeas of experience on the Executive Committee of EPRC, the body responsible for the European Cups.
