Lapasset edges rival to remain IRB boss

In a political fight to control the direction of global rugby for the next four years, Frenchman Bernard Lapasset edged former England captain Bill Beaumont late Monday to remain in charge.

Lapasset was elected to a second consecutive term as chairman of the International Rugby Board in a 14-12 vote over vice-chairman Beaumont at a meeting near Los Angeles International Airport.

Lapasset, a former president of the French Rugby Federation, played a key role in France’s successful bid for the 2007 World Cup.

He dubbed the slim victory, by a clearly divided council, a mandate.

“Together we must work to en-sure that our sport remains strong for all our unions and is able to continue its phenomenal growth around the world,” he said.

Lapasset will begin a new four-year term on January 1 as a result of the first-ballot triumph. And he cast the deciding vote in another election that booted his challenger Beaumont out of the vice-chairman’s post as of the New Year.

South African Oregan Hoskins was elected as the new IRB vice chairman.

After two rounds of voting were deadlocked at 13-13, Lapasset cast his tie-breaking vote for Hoskins.