World Rugby chairman candidate Agustin Pichot says he is open to the idea of a debate of manifestos with opponent Bill Beaumont.
The race for the top position in the game’s governing body is set to enter its endgame as a final four-day voting window will open on Monday.
Several nations – including Ireland and Wales, who have three votes each to cast – are reported to be undecided in what could be a dramatic finish to the elections.
Pichot – who was the driving force behind the scrapped idea of a Nations Championship – has been outspoken about his desire to implement a global calendar in rugby, bringing greater alignment between the northern and southern hemispheres.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the former Argentina captain issued a challenge to Beaumont to debate their position in a bid to swing voters.
‘It is very last minute, but I would love to debate my ideas with Bill, if it’s useful for the council members,’ Pichot said. ‘I don’t want to turn it into a show, but if you are asking me if I would do it in public, I would have no issue with that.
‘I am open to new ways of thinking. The more transparent the sport is, the better. If some kind of debate helps the game and helps council members, then I am more than happy to do it.
‘I have been very happy with the level of support I have received and that is a sign that people want change,’ he added. ‘I would love to have received more feedback from the Six Nations. I would love to discussed my manifestos with their boards but I understand their political situation. They have a pressure to vote together and I just have to respect that.’
Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
