Australia’s Brett Robinson has made history after being elected as the first non-European chairman of World Rugby.

The former Wallabies backrower pipped Abdelatif Benazzi in a tense vote in Dublin on Thursday after Andrea Rinaldo bowed out.

It is the most powerful position in rugby and the 54-year-old Robinson will succeed England’s Bill Beaumont in the role.

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Robinson won following two rounds of voting at a meeting of the World Rugby council, ultimately edging Benazzi – the former France No.8 – 27-25 in the second round.

Rinaldo, an ex-Italy lock and widely presumed to be the outsider in the election race, was knocked out after the first round.

Robinson, the inaugural Brumbies captain, has been a member of World Rugby’s executive board since 2016.

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After his win, Robinson said he would aim to deliver “financial sustainability across all member unions” and “competitions that drive audience engagement and commercial outcomes.”

He said he was committed to make rugby a “contemporary global sport.”

Robinson, also a qualified doctor, ensures some continuity ahead of a period when Australia will be in the rugby spotlight.

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The British and Irish Lions tour Down Under next year and the men’s Rugby World Cup will be staged in Australia in 2027.

Rugby sevens should also be on the Olympic schedule for Brisbane in 2032.

“Rugby Australia is proud to have supported Brett’s bid for World Rugby chair and looks forward to working closely with him in the years ahead,” Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said.

“This is an exciting time for rugby around the world and Brett is the perfect candidate to lead the game into a confident and prosperous new era. Rugby Australia shares Brett’s vision for the future of rugby and endorses his proposed reforms that will evolve and grow the game worldwide.”

Born and raised in Morocco, Benazzi presented himself as a champion of the global game and someone who could broaden rugby’s appeal beyond its traditional strongholds and into regions like his native Africa.

In Robinson, World Rugby is set to have a more conservative chairman than Benazzi would have been.

“Brett’s corporate and rugby credentials are impeccable and I have no doubt his progressive leadership will propel rugby around the world to new heights,” said Rugby Australia chair Daniel Herbert.

“We look forward to the experience, modern thinking, tremendous energy and unparalleled passion for the game Brett will bring to his new role. To have an Australian in this role is historic and speaks to our global standing in the game. World Rugby is truly in the best of hands.

“From 2025, Australia will be the epicentre of the rugby world with the British and Irish Lions tour, men’s and women’s World Cups in 2027 and 2029 respectively and a home Olympics. There has never been a better time to play rugby or be a fan in Australia with the procession of significant global rugby events being held on our shores.”

Meanwhile, World Rugby has postponed a decision on the future of 20 minute red cards which are being trialled in the November Test window.

Referees have the option to use the temporary red cards for technical fouls and a full red card for blatant foul play.

Offenders receiving 20 minute red cards are sin-binned and replaced by a teammate after 20 minutes.

Two such red cards were issued last weekend to Fiji winger Semi Radradra and Scotland lock Scott Cummings.

The World Rugby council decided it was too early to decide whether the experiment should become a law.

“With cross-hemisphere international matches having only just begun, in line with the recommendation, the council decided to delay consideration of the 20 minute red card trial until the conclusion of the Autumn Nations Series to enable further feedback and full data analysis to be considered,” World Rugby said.

The French and Irish federations have opposed the 20 minute red cards, claiming it poses a health risk.

But the likes of Wales coach Warren Gatland support it.

Other proposals that were made law by the World Rugby council included:

— 60 second shot clock on conversions, aligned with penalties

— 30 second setup for lineouts, aligned with scrums

— play on rule in uncontested lineouts when the throw is not straight

— scrumhalf protection during scrums, rucks, and mauls.

However, proposals for a global trial to call a mark inside the 22 at kick off and restarts, and for single stop mauls, did not receive the required support.