Argentina is reportedly set to step aside from the race to host the 2027 World Cup after Rugby Australia supported Agustin Pichot’s nomination for World Rugby chairman.
The Argentinian government revealed in 2016 that they would bid to host the 2027 World Cup, becoming the first South American nation to hold the tournament.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported in November that Australia had become the front-runners to host the tournament, with Argentina or the USA favourites for the 2031 edition.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Pichot said that the Union of Argentinian Rugby (UAR) would withdraw their bid and allow Australia to run.
‘We discussed it with Australia and we thought that it was not good for us to compete against our partner,’ Pichot said. ‘So, we decided to just let Australia run because they also had a stronger project.’
The UAR has yet to release an official comment on the status of their bid.
Pichot is running to replace Bill Beaumont as World Rugby chairman. The former Argentinian player has served as World Rugby vice-chairman since 2016. He has been proposed by the UAR as well as Rugby Australia.
Beaumont will try to stand for a second term, with French Rugby president Bernard Laporte as his vice-chairman. The former England captain has been nominated by France Rugby and the Fijian Rugby Union.
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