Friends in rugby,
I hope you’re well as we enter a defining and exciting year for our sport.
Fresh from in-depth and productive meetings in Australia and Japan, I want to update you on my engagement with unions and regions as part of my ongoing learning agenda, as well as the first meeting of our new Executive Board in Perth recently.
World Rugby exists to serve you, our unions and regions, and to grow our game by making it more relevant and accessible. I was elected to listen, learn, and act, and that remains my priority. Since taking office, I’ve met with 24 unions and regions, and the message I’ve heard is clear: collaboration is essential to strengthening and future-proofing our sport.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
From these discussions, several critical themes have emerged, which I’ve shared with the Executive Board:
Stronger Stakeholder Communication – We’re committed to greater transparency and clearer, more open dialogue.
Greater Purpose Alignment – A shared purpose, vision and values must drive our actions and define our future.
Financial Sustainability – Rising costs and investment challenges require smarter collaboration and transparency in funding.
Government Engagement Support – Unlocking funding and resources at national and regional levels will be a key focus.
It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm in Australia following the announcement of the seven host cities for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, which will include 52 matches. With full control over city selection, venues, and the commercial model under our new hosting framework, we can optimize financial and sporting outcomes for the entire game.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFRESH
This year, we will develop the next iteration of our strategic plan, and you are all central to that plan. This is an opportunity for the game to reunite around a common vision and purpose. It is our opportunity to challenge our ways of working, wrap around impactful goals and by doing so ensure that rugby remains relevant – especially for younger generations. Your priorities will shape this process. Our goal: sustainable growth in revenue, engagement and participation, while strengthening our core.
NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD INDUCTION
Our new Executive Board gathered in Perth for two days of induction meetings, alongside the hugely successful HSBC SVNS Perth. We spent time getting to know each other better and how we agree to work and behave as a board. Directors, both existing and new, engaged deeply across World Rugby’s financial position, our current growth strategy, player safety and welfare, current and future competition structures. We next meet at the Hong Kong Sevens where we will spend more time together with our focus of the meeting kicking off a deep reflection of our strategy. As we move into full Board meetings in March, we’ll keep you informed on key discussions and decisions in line with our commitment to greater openness around our decision-making structures.
WAYS OF WORKING
What was really clear to me through my learning agenda one-on-ones was our need to simplify our ways of working together. World Rugby’s processes and decision-making needs to be fit for purpose for what is in front of us and that the historical ways of working need to be challenged. Execution of our plans will require greater agility. While for the upcoming Shape of the Game meetings later this month and for the short-term we will repopulate our current committee structures, I see the need through the strategic refresh process to consider what governance mechanisms are supporting agile decision-making, what may need to be discontinued and what is missing. I look forward to working with you on what this may best look like acknowledging the balance of agility alongside the need for connection and collaboration.
We have a very significant six months ahead of us with a need for us to unite around a common view of the future. Your Executive Board is now getting to work and I look forward to our in-person Council meeting in May, where we will further discuss the detail of our game’s strategic direction. Can I thank you for your openness and honesty in the past few months. It’s an absolute privilege to be working with you all and I am energized and committed to leading this great game of ours into a bright and exciting future with you all.
Yours in rugby,
Brett Robinson
