Lapasset still boss - for now

Auckland - France's Bernard Lapasset remained chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB) after an election due to be held here on Wednesday was delayed so as to avoid clashing with the climax of the World Cup.

Lapasset, in post since 2007, was being challenged for the top job in rugby administration by Bill Beaumont, the current vice-chairman of the IRB, the global game's governing body, and a former England captain.

The adjourned meeting of the IRB's ruling council, which will decide who is the next chairman, is set to take place in December before the current mandates of both Lapasset and Beaumont expire on January 1, 2012.

An IRB statement issued Wednesday, just days before the World Cup final between New Zealand and France on Sunday, said: "This decision was taken after a resolution was passed to defer the vote until after the completion of Rugby World Cup 2011."

The statement added: "Both candidates (Lapasset and Beaumont) and council were in agreement that in future the election of a chairman should not take place during Rugby World Cup but should take place at the IRB annual meeting of council in the year following rugby's showcase tournament."