It doesn't smell at all, does it?

Telegraph
Agustin Pichot has announced that Argentina will step aside to allow Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027, a day after it was confirmed that Rugby Australia had seconded his nomination to become World Rugby chairman.

Back in October 2016, the Buenos Aires government revealed that Argentina would bid to become the first South American country to hold the tournament in 2027.

However, Pichot seemed to call an end to that campaign in an interview with Sydney-based newspaper Daily Telegraph that was published on Thursday.

“We discussed it with Australia and we thought that it was not good for us to compete against our partner,” said Pichot, who won 71 caps for the Pumas between 1995 and 2007.

“So, we decided to just let Australia run because they also had a stronger project.”

There was no immediate comment from Argentina’s union.

Pichot, who has been Bill Beaumont’s vice-chairman since 2016, is running to replace the former England captain. Beaumont is standing for a second term and will be joined by a new vice-chairman in Bernard Laporte.

On Tuesday, World Rugby confirmed that Beaumont had been nominated for re-election by the French Rugby Federation and seconded by the Fiji Rugby Union with Laporte nominated by the RFU and seconded by the Romanian Rugby Union.

Meanwhile, Pichot was proposed by the Union Argentina de Rugby and seconded by regional association Sudamérica Rugby, as well as Rugby Australia. The election will take place on May 12.

The BBC reported in November that Australia had become front-runners to host the Rugby World Cup in 2027, with a first tournament in the Americas – either in USA or Argentina – poised for 2031.

Rugby Australia fears it could lose up to A$120 million (£60.4m) this year due to the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, so a free run to host Rugby World Cup 2027, and receive a significant cash windfall, would represent a precious lifeline.

Pichot has been dodgy since the start. He's constantly banging the drum for the money men he represents.

Sorry Jammy but I have to disagree with you. Pichot has been a consistent voice for greater equality amongst all the rugby playing nations around the world, particularly '2nd Tier Nations' and those from the Pacific Islands. The money men you refer to are based in England and France - the revenue from the annual 6 Nations is double that generated by the host nation of the World Cup (every 4 years) - and sometimes they are the one and the same. Beaumont will probably be re-elected by the Home Nations countries who between them hold the majority of votes on the Council anyway. If you haven't already, I'd suggest reading 'Unholy Union' co-written by our very own Mark Evans - it's a real eye-opener with regards to the holders of the balance of power in world rugby