'Rugby will die without new plan' - World Rugby candidate Benazzi

Benazzi was born in the Moroccan city of Oujda, close to the border with Algeria, but went on to represent France

Former France international Abdelatif Benazzi says rugby union faces an existential crisis if it fails to find new markets and bring more cash into the game.

The 56-year-old is running to lead World Rugby when Bill Beaumont steps down as chairman in November.

"Since the pandemic, it is the first time we have seen all the federations, even the historic ones, in trouble with their revenues," he told BBC Sport.

"Rugby is in trouble around the world. We will die if everyone stays on his own side. We have to think collectively."

Benazzi said the income generated by rugby's showpiece events does not match the scale of their impact.

"You could see the paradox at the last Rugby World Cup," he added. "You could see in the crowds and how it is broadcast around the world – it is maybe third in the world behind the soccer World Cup and the Olympics, or at the sevens," he added.

"But we must do more. We saw 1.5bn watching, but there is scope to increase the sponsorship and the partnerships. The income is not enough for such a popular sport."

World Rugby says the 2023 tournament in France registered 1.33bn viewing hours, up 30% on England 2015 and 19% on Japan 2019, and generated a record £475m in surplus revenue, a 28% increase on four years previously.

A thrilling round of quarter-final matches helped push record television viewing figures for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

A new global calendar is due to come in in 2026 to help boost revenues, with the world's top 12 Test nations taking part in a Rugby Nations Championship, culminating in a weekend of finals in late autumn to decide the winners and final rankings.

Qatar reportedly put forward an unsuccessful proposal to host the climax of the first four editions of the biennial tournament in 2025, 2028, 2030 and 2032.

Benazzi, currently a French Rugby Union (FFR) vice-President, believes there is still scope to revive the plan, albeit on a smaller scale and with Qatari commitment to human rights.

"Qatar have improved a lot of things in their country and sport has helped accelerate integration and understanding for the culture," explained Benazzi, who attended the 2022 Fifa World Cup in the country.

"I was very impressed with the Qataris' interest in sport and their open mind about women. It is a new path and we have to find a new market, and new countries to host.

"We refused Qatar with five finals. They come back now maybe with interest for one final - that's interesting. We don't close the door.

"But we won't sell our rugby and lose our values. We have to discuss with everyone."

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney has previously suggested London may stage the first edition of the tournament in 2026, while the 2030 tournament could take place in the United States to help raise the sport's profile before men's and women's Rugby World Cups in the country in 2031 and 2033 respectively.

That itinerary could pave the way for the 2028 event to be staged in the Middle East.

Benazzi, who conducted this interview in his third language and has had his manifesto translated into five, is making a global pitch to World Rugby's 53-member Council.

His plans include established rugby powers being given responsibility for growing the sport in partner regions and using different formats, such as sevens, and modified rules to grow the game in different cultures.

Benazzi's own story is compelling. Born in Morocco, he only took up the sport at 14 when a teacher, noticing his size and weight didn't suit football or athletics, suggested it to him.

"I told the teacher I didn't know the rules," recalled Benazzi. "He said, 'it doesn't matter with your physicality, get the ball and go straight'. I have kept this advice my whole life!"

After playing for Morocco, he moved to France as a teenager, going on to win 78 Test caps for his new home.

Benazzi and France went on to lose the 1999 Rugby World Cup final to Australia in Cardiff after beating tournament favourites New Zealand in the previous round

He played in three Rugby World Cups, including starting France's famous 43-31 win over New Zealand in the 1999 semi-finals, before featuring in a star-studded Saracens team for two seasons between 2001 and 2003.

Among his opposition during a long playing career was Australia's Brett Robinson, who is believed to be the favourite to be elected World Rugby chair after former Scotland flanker John Jeffrey's dramatic departure from the race.

"I can't remember if I smashed him with a big tackle," joked Benazzi.

"Now it is another game between me and him. It is interesting but I will do my best."

Benazzi said he planned to meet with England's World Rugby Council members on Thursday, before outlining his plans to France and Japan's delegations next week.