SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand Rugby on Tuesday gave their backing to Australian Brett Robinson in his bid to succeed Bill Beaumont as chairman of global governing body World Rugby in next month's election.
Former Wallaby Robinson, who was nominated by Australia and seconded by England, is going up against former France captain Abdelatif Benazzi and Italian academic Andrea Rinaldo at a World Rugby council meeting in Dublin on Nov. 14.
"Brett is a highly regarded and trusted leader with the strong integrity and commercial expertise that is absolutely critical to leading the future success of the sport," NZR Chair Patsy Reddy said in a statement.
"Rugby requires someone who knows what the issues and opportunities are, is focused on delivering outcomes for all member unions and, importantly, represents the collective best interests of the entire game."
Robinson is an executive board member of World Rugby and chief executive of Retire Australia, the country's largest private owner of retirement villages.
Moroccan-born Benazzi was proposed by France and seconded by South Africa, while Rinaldo, who won four caps for his country, has the backing of Italy and Ireland.
All four chairmen of the global governing body since it became a permanent, elected role in 1994 - Vernon Pugh, Syd Millar, Bernard Lapasset and Beaumont - have been from Europe.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Alison Williams)
