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Agustin Pichot wants to take the step of being Vice President of World Rugby.
Pacific Rugby Players Welfare chief Daniel Leo prays that Samoa will support Agustin Pichot instead of Sir Bill Beaumont in the vote for the president of World Rugby.
Beaumont is the incumbent and Wales recently announced that he would vote for him, and all unions in the Six Nations are likely to back his re-election bid.
Pichot of Argentina appears to have the backing of nations in the southern hemisphere, but the Samoa Rugby Union has reportedly decided to endorse the former lock in England.
Leo, who played for Samoa, said he hopes there will be a change of heart as he believes Pichot will do more for the Pacific nations.
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“From what I have heard, the vote is already cast,” Leo told the Samoa Observer.
“But there is still [until Sunday] I would like to wait, and actually more than hope, probably to pray, that these boys have the guts to throw a cat among the pigeons, because that is what the game needs.
AP
Bill Beaumont will likely garner the backing of the major European nations as he seeks reelection as President of World Rugby.
“I hope I’m wrong and they’re just playing a double bluff.”
It has been speculated that Beaumont won the support of Samoa Rugby Union President Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, saying there would be a revision of international standards.
But Leo believes there must be a bigger shake-up in the way World Rugby is run, and that the Pacific nations have more voice.
“I heard that there is possibly a promise to expand the Executive Committee from seven to nine seats and that the Pacific will get one of those,” Leo told the Samoa Observer.
“It is not good enough. We need our leaders, our administrators to think about the long-term good of the game in our region and in our countries, instead of just obtaining positions of power in those committees.
“The challenge for our Pacific managers is to do the right thing, to do what everyone knows is the right thing for the game, for longevity, for future generations, not what is right for you and your ego now.”
