During the 106th Rugby Europe General Meeting, which was held on Friday November 8th in Paris, Rugby Europe held a vote to define the candidate to be supported in the race for World Rugby elections, which takes place this Thursday in Dublin.
Following the election of new President Janheim Pieterse and Board of Directors members, each of the 45 Rugby Europe member unions were invited to cast their vote for the candidate of their choice in a secret ballot.
In the first round, Abdelatif Benazzi obtained just short of half of the votes with Brett Robinson and Andrea Rinaldo in second and third place, respectively.
As the “absolute” majority had not been reached, a second round of voting took place between the two leading candidates.
In the run off to decide the second vote, former French international player, Benazzi, obtained the majority once again from the members of Rugby Europe.
President of Rugby Europe, Janheim Pieterse, said, “It is clear from our members the choice they have made ahead of these World Rugby elections, through a robust and comprehensive showing of democracy.
“As newly installed president, it will be an honor to represent Europe at the elections and casting our ballots in such an important vote to decide the future president of World Rugby.”
