World Rugby
World Rugby as the world governing body
for rugby union was formally founded by the rugby unions of Ireland, Scotland, and
Wales as International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) on 1887, Dec 05.
England joined the IRFB in 1890.
In 1948, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa,
France (1978), Argentina, Canada, Italy and Japan (1991) became members
of the board next. Today (2018) World Rugby has 117 member federations.
For decades the board itself and its members recognized
the IRFB only as law maker of the game and its strict amateurism.
Organization of championships and tournaments was not the duty of the
IRFB.
After longer discussions the IRFB decided to
organize a world cup for the first time in 1987. More competitions
followed the next years.
After the first test match (England vs. France in 1986)
women′s rugby grew rapidly and concluded in the inaugural Women′s World
Cup in 1991.
In August 1995, the IRFB declared the game as „open”
and ended more than 100 years of amateurism. The board deleted
„Football” from its name to become International
Rugby Board in 1998.
As rugby was already played at the Olympic Games from
1900 to 1924 rugby sevens is now accepted as part of the Olympic Games
2016.
The Council, which meets twice a year, controls the IRB.
The Council has 28 members: Australia, England, France, Ireland, New
Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales (these founding unions
have two votes), Argentina, Canada, Italy, and Japan, the six regional
associations (one vote each).
On 2014, Nov 18 IRB was rebranded simply as World Rugby.
Chairmen
Until 1996 the chairman was supplied by one of the eight founding members for one year in rotation. Since then, the chairman is elected by the Council.
| ??.01.1996 - 24.04.2003 🕆 | Vernon Pugh WAL |
| 24.04.2003 - 19.11.2003 | Syd Millar IRL; acting |
| 19.11.2003 - 31.12.2007 | Syd Millar IRL |
| 01.01.2008 - 30.06.2016 | Bernard Lapasset FRA |
| 01.07.2016 - | Bill Beaumont ENG |
Chief Executives
| 01.07.1998 - 11.04.2002 | Stephen Baines ENG |
| 11.04.2002 - 31.01.2012 | Mike Miller ENG |
| 01.02. - 14.08.2012 | Robert Brophy IRL, acting |
| 15.08.2012 - | Brett Gosper AUS |
World Rugby Awards
not complete list of all awards
| Player of the Year | Women′s Personality of the Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Keith Wood IRL | Shelley Rae ENG |
| 2002 | Fabien Galthié FRA | Monique Hirovanaa NZL |
| 2003 | Jonny Wilkinson ENG | Kathy Flores USA |
| 2004 | Schalk Burger RSA | Donna Kennedy SCO |
| 2005 | Daniel Carter NZL | Farah Palmer NZL |
| 2006 | Richie McCaw NZL | Margaret Alphonsi ENG |
| 2007 | Bryan Habana RSA | Sarah Corrigan AUS |
| 2008 | Shane Williams WAL | Carol Isherwood ENG |
| 2009 | Richie McCaw NZL | Debby Hodgkinson AUS |
| 2010 | Richie McCaw NZL | Carla Hohepa NZL |
| 2011 | Thierry Dusautoir FRA | Ruth Mitchell HKG |
| 2012 | Daniel Carter NZL | Michaela Staniford ENG |
| 2013 | Kieran Read NZL | not awarded |
| 2014 | Brodie Retallick NZL | Magali Harvey CAN |
| 2015 | Daniel Carter NZL | Kendra Cocksedge NZL |
| 2016 | Beauden Barrett NZL | Sarah Hunter ENG |
| 2017 | Beauden Barrett NZL | Portia Woodman NZL |
| 2018 | Johnny Sexton IRL | Jessy Trémoullière FRA |
| 2019 | Pieter-Steph Du Toit RSA | Emily Scarratt ENG |
| 2020 | Richie McCaw NZL | Jessy Trémoullière FRA |
| 2021 | Antoine Dupont FRA | Zoe Aldcroft ENG |
| 2022 | Josh van der Flier IRL | Ruahei Demant NZL |
Remark: 2001, 2002, 2012 and since 2014 „Women′s Player of the Year” instead
2020: Instead of awarding the best of rugby on the field over the past calendar year, the best players of the decade were selected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Sevens Player of the Year | Women′s Sevens Player of the Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Simon Amor ENG | |
| 2005 | Orene Ai′i NZL | |
| 2006 | Uale Mai SAM | |
| 2007 | Afeleke Pelenise NZL | |
| 2008 | DJ Forbes NZL | |
| 2009 | Ollie Phillips ENG | |
| 2010 | Mikaele Pesamino SAM | |
| 2011 | Cecil Afrika RSA | |
| 2012 | Tomasi Cama NZL | |
| 2013 | Tim Mikkelson NZL | Kayla McAlister NZL |
| 2014 | Samisoni Viriviri FIJ | Emilee Cherry AUS |
| 2015 | Werner Kok RSA | Portia Woodman NZL |
| 2016 | Seabelo Senatla RSA | Charlotte Caslick AUS |
| 2017 | Perry Baker USA | Michaella Blyde NZL |
| 2018 | Perry Baker USA | Michaella Blyde NZL |
| 2019 | Jerry Tuwai FIJ | Ruby Tui NZL |
| 2020 | Jerry Tuwai FIJ | Portia Woodman NZL |
| 2021 | Marcos Moneta ARG | Anne-Cécile Ciofani FRA |
| 2022 | Terry Kennedy IRL | Charlotte Caslick AUS |
2020: Instead of awarding the best of rugby on the field over the past calendar year, the best players of the decade were selected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last modified: 09.02.2023