The 2016 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the summer internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) are international rugby union matches that were mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June international window.
The matches were part of World Rugby's global rugby calendar (2012–19) that included Test matches between the touring Northern Hemisphere nations and the home Southern Hemisphere nations, whilst some of the touring teams played mid-week matches against provincial or regional sides. In addition to this, the global calendar gave Tier 2 nations the opportunity to host Tier 1 nations outside the November international window, intended to increase competitiveness from the Tier 2 sides.
All Six Nations teams were in action. The grand slam winners England played a three-test series against Rugby Championship champions Australia. South Africa hosted a three-test series against Ireland, while Wales toured New Zealand, where they played the a three-test series against the world champions, and played a mid-week match against the Chiefs. Wales also played a single match against England for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup before travelling to New Zealand. Argentina hosted Italy, before they played a two-test series against France, whilst Italy played Canada and the United States.
2019 World Cup hosts Japan hosted Scotland for a two-test series, whilst they also played away to Canada in a first ever rugby union Test match at BC Place. Russia toured North America for the first time sonce 2010, playing tests against both Canada and the United States.
Georgia traveled to the Pacific Islands, where Fiji and Samoa each hosted the Lelos for the first time; Georgia also faced Tonga at a neutral venue in Fiji. Brazil hosted Kenya, the first time Brazil had hosted an African nation.
Overview
Series Event Result Winners Argentina v France test series 1–1 Drawn Australia v England test series 0–3 Japan v Scotland test series 0–2 South Africa v Ireland test series 2–1 South Africa A v England Saxons series 0–2 New Zealand v Wales test series 3–0 Uruguay v Fiji Warriors series 0–2
Other tours Team/Tour Opponents Italy tour (lost) – (won) – (won) Georgia tour (draw) – (won) – (won) Russia tour (lost) – (lost)
Fixtures
Team details FB 15Rodrigo SilvaRW 14Nicolás FreitasOC 13Joaquín PradaIC 12Andrés VilasecaLW 11Sebastían SchroederFH 10Martín SeccoSH 9 Guillermo LijtensteinN8 8 Alejandro NietoOF 7 Gonzalo CampomarBF 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (c)RL 5 Diego MagnoLL 4 Ignacio DottiTP 3 Carlos ArboleyaHK 2 Germán KesslerLP 1 Facundo GattasReplacements:PR 16Mateo SanguinettiPR 17Diego ArbeloHK 18Ignacio SeccoLK 19Mathias PalomequeFL 20Fernando BascouFL 21Gonzalo SotoCE 22Facundo KlappenbachWG 23Santiago MartinezCoach: Esteban Meneses FB 15Cyril ReeceRW 14Lepani RaiyalaOC 13Saimoni TuilaucalaIC 12Frederick HickesLW 11Nacani WakayaFH 10Seru VularikaSH 9 Henry SeniloliN8 8 Eremasi RadrodoOF 7 Mosese VokaBF 6 Johnny DyerRL 5 Mataiasi UcutabuaLL 4 Joseva LevulaTP 3 Mesake DogeHK 2 Jale SessenLP 1 Peni Ravai (c)Replacements:HK 16Samu SuguturagaPR 17Joeli Veitayaki Jr.PR 18Asaeli SorovakiLK 19Kelepi NaimasiFL 20Mesulame KunavulaSH 21Alifereti MocelutuFH 22Isaia NatabaFB 23Kitione RatuCoach: Senirusi SeruvakulaTeam details Notes: In this uncapped match, World Rugby trialed the new 6-point try, 2-point penalty law, while a penalty try is an automatic 8 points.
Team details FB 15Rodrigo SilvaRW 14Federico FavaroOC 13Joaquín PradaIC 12Andrés VilasecaLW 11Nicolás FreitasFH 10Manuel BlengioSH 9 Guillermo LijtensteinN8 8 Alejandro NietoOF 7 Gonzalo CampomarBF 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (c)RL 5 Diego AyalaLL 4 Franco LamannaTP 3 Diego ArbeloHK 2 Carlos ArboleyaLP 1 Mateo SanguinettiReplacements:HK 16Germán KesslerPR 17Facundo GattasPR 18Juan EcheverríaLK 19Ignacio DottiFL 20Diego MagnoFL 21Matías BeerCE 22Facundo KlappenbachWG 23Santiago MartinezCoach: Esteban Meneses FB 15Kitione RatuRW 14Lepani RaiyalaOC 13Aporosa DuwaiIC 12Frederick HickesLW 11Nacani WakayaFH 10Seru VularikaSH 9 Henry SeniloliN8 8 Eremasi Radrodo (c)OF 7 Mosese VokaBF 6 Kelepi NaimasiRL 5 Mataiasi UcutabuaLL 4 Joseva LevulaTP 3 Mesake DogeHK 2 Jale Sessen LP 1 Joeli Veitayaki Jr.Replacements:HK 16Samu SuguturagaPR 17Osea NaganilauPR 18Asaeli SorovakiLK 19Vasikali MuduFL 20Johnny DyerSH 21Nemani RaiwaluiFH 22Meli NakarawaFB 23Cyril ReeceCoach: Senirusi SeruvakulaTeam details
Team details FB 15Mike BrownRW 14Anthony WatsonOC 13Jonathan Joseph IC 12Luther BurrellLW 11Marland YardeFH 10George Ford SH 9 Ben Youngs N8 8 Jack Clifford (rugby)OF 7 James Haskell BF 6 Teimana HarrisonRL 5 Courtney Lawes LL 4 Joe LaunchburyTP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Dylan Hartley (c) LP 1 Matt Mullan Replacements:HK 16Tommy Taylor PR 17Ellis Genge PR 18Paul Hill LK 19Dave Attwood FL 20Matt Kvesic SH 21Danny Care FH 22Ollie Devoto CE 23Elliot Daly Coach: Eddie Jones FB 15Liam WilliamsRW 14George NorthOC 13Scott Williams IC 12Jamie RobertsLW 11Hallam AmosFH 10Dan Biggar SH 9 Rhys Webb N8 8 Taulupe FaletauOF 7 Dan Lydiate (c) BF 6 Ross MoriartyRL 5 Alun Wyn Jones LL 4 Jake BallTP 3 Samson Lee HK 2 Scott Baldwin LP 1 Rob Evans Replacements:HK 16Kristian Dacey PR 17Gethin Jenkins PR 18Rhodri Jones FL 19Josh Turnbull FL 20James King SH 21Lloyd Williams FH 22Rhys Priestland FH 23Gareth Anscombe Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Joe Launchbury (England)
Touch judges: John Lacey (Ireland) George Clancy (Ireland) Television match official: Simon McDowell (Australia) Notes: Ollie Devoto, Ellis Genge, Teimana Harrison and Tommy Taylor (all England) made their international debuts.
Team details FB 15Leolin ZasRW 14Travis IsmaielOC 13Francois VenterIC 12Howard Mnisi LW 11Courtnall SkosanFH 10Garth April SH 9 Nic Groom N8 8 Nizaam Carr OF 7 Oupa Mohojé (c)BF 6 Sikhumbuzo NotsheRL 5 Stephan Lewies LL 4 JD SchickerlingTP 3 Vincent Koch HK 2 Scarra Ntubeni LP 1 Thomas du Toit Replacements:HK 16Malcolm Marx PR 17Lizo Gqoboka PR 18Coenie Oosthuizen LK 19RG Snyman FL 20Jean-Luc du Preez SH 21Piet van Zyl FH 22Francois Brummer CE 23Lukhanyo Am Coach: Johan Ackermann FB 15Mike HaleyRW 14Semesa Rokoduguni OC 13Nick TompkinsIC 12Ollie DevotoLW 11Alex Lewington FH 10Danny CiprianiSH 9 Dan Robson N8 8 Sam Jones OF 7 Matt KvesicBF 6 Don ArmandRL 5 Charlie EwelsLL 4 Dave Attwood (c) TP 3 Kieran Brookes HK 2 Tommy Taylor LP 1 Alec Hepburn Replacements:HK 16George McGuigan PR 17Ross Harrison PR 18Jake Cooper-Woolley LK 19Mitch Lees FL 20Dave Ewers SH 21Micky Young CE 22Sam James WG 23Christian Wade Coach: Ali Hepher Man of the Match: Danny Cipriani (England Saxons)
Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Jaco Kotze (South Africa) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Team details FB 15Albert NikoroRW 14Fa'atoina Autagavaia OC 13Rey Lee-LoIC 12Faialaga AfamasagaLW 11David Lemi (c)FH 10Patrick Fa'apale SH 9 Dwayne Polataivao N8 8 Jeff LepaOF 7 TJ Ioane BF 6 Alafoti Fa'osilivaRL 5 Filo Paulo LL 4 Fa'atiga LemaluTP 3 James Johnston HK 2 Motu Matu'u LP 1 Sam Aiono Replacements:HK 16Seilala Lam PR 17Nu'uuli Lene PR 18Jake Grey LK 19Talaga Alofipo FL 20Oneone Fa'afou WG 21Danny Tusitala FB 22D'Angelo Leuila WG 23Malu Falaniko Coach: Alama Ieremia FB 15Merab Kvirikashvili RW 14Giorgi Pruidze OC 13Davit KacharavaIC 12Merab SharikadzeLW 11Alexander ToduaFH 10Lasha KhmaladzeSH 9 Giorgi Begadze N8 8 Lasha LomidzeOF 7 Giorgi TkhilaishviliBF 6 Shalva Sutiashvili (c) RL 5 Giorgi NemsadzeLL 4 Giorgi Chkhaidze TP 3 Irakli Mirtskhulava HK 2 Jaba Bregvadze LP 1 Kakha Asieshvili Replacements:HK 16Shalva Mamukashvili PR 17Zurab Zhvania PR 18Anton Peikrishvili LK 19Nodar Tcheishvili FL 20Saba Shubitidze SH 21Vazha Khutsishvili FH 22Lasha Malaghuradze CE 23Tamaz Mchedlidze Coach: Milton Haig Touch judges: Andrew Lees (Australia) James Leckie (Australia) Notes: This was the first time that Samoa has hosted Georgia in a home test match. Talaga Alofipo, Malu Falaniko, Seilala Lam, Nu'uuli Lene, Jeff Lepa, D'Angelo Leuila, Albert Nikoro, Dwayne Polataivao and Danny Tusitala (all Samoa) made their international debuts.
Team details FB 15Ben SmithRW 14Waisake NaholoOC 13Malakai Fekitoa IC 12Ryan CrottyLW 11Julian Savea FH 10Aaron CrudenSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Jerome KainoRL 5 Brodie RetallickLL 4 Luke Romano TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Nathan Harris PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Charlie Faumuina LK 19Patrick Tuipulotu FL 20Ardie Savea SH 21TJ Perenara FH 22Beauden Barrett CE 23Seta Tamanivalu Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Liam Williams RW 14George North OC 13Jonathan DaviesIC 12Jamie Roberts LW 11Hallam AmosFH 10Dan BiggarSH 9 Rhys Webb N8 8 Taulupe FaletauOF 7 Sam Warburton (c) BF 6 Ross MoriartyRL 5 Alun Wyn Jones LL 4 Bradley Davies TP 3 Samson Lee HK 2 Ken Owens LP 1 Gethin Jenkins Replacements:HK 16Scott Baldwin PR 17Rob Evans PR 18Tomas Francis LK 19Jake Ball FL 20Ellis Jenkins SH 21Gareth Davies FH 22Gareth Anscombe CE 23Scott Williams Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Ben Smith (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Will Houston (Australia) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Notes: Alun Wyn Jones became the fifth Welsh player to earn his 100th cap. Ardie Savea and Seta Tamanivalu (both New Zealand) and Ellis Jenkins (Wales) made their international debuts. There was no replacement issued for George North when he was taken off injured at the end of the game, Wales played with 14 players.
Team details FB 15Israel FolauRW 14Dane Haylett-PettyOC 13Tevita KuridraniIC 12Samu KereviLW 11Rob Horne FH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Nick Phipps N8 8 David PocockOF 7 Michael Hooper BF 6 Scott Fardy RL 5 Rob Simmons LL 4 Rory Arnold TP 3 Greg Holmes HK 2 Stephen Moore (c) LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:PR 16Tatafu Polota-Nau PR 17James Slipper HK 18Sekope Kepu LK 19James Horwill LK 20Dean Mumm FL 21Sean McMahon SH 22Nick Frisby FH 23Christian Lealiifano Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Mike BrownRW 14Anthony Watson OC 13Jonathan JosephIC 12Luther Burrell LW 11Marland YardeFH 10Owen FarrellSH 9 Ben Youngs N8 8 Billy Vunipola OF 7 James HaskellBF 6 Chris RobshawRL 5 George Kruis LL 4 Maro ItojeTP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Dylan Hartley (c) LP 1 Mako Vunipola Replacements:HK 16Luke Cowan-Dickie PR 17Matt Mullan PR 18Paul Hill LK 19Joe Launchbury LK 20Courtney Lawes SH 21Danny Care FH 22George Ford WG 23Jack Nowell Coach: Eddie Jones Man of the Match: James Haskell (England)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: Rory Arnold, Nick Frisby, Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Petty (all Australia) made their international debuts. Mike Brown (England) earned his 50th test cap. England win back-to-back tests in Australia for the first time since 2003, while winning in Brisbane for the first time ever. The 39 points scored by England, are the most points scored by England against Australia.
Team details FB 15Willie le RouxRW 14JP PietersenOC 13Lionel Mapoe IC 12Damian de AllendeLW 11Lwazi MvovoFH 10Pat Lambie SH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 Duane VermeulenOF 7 Siya KolisiBF 6 Francois Louw RL 5 Lood de Jager LL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Frans Malherbe HK 2 Adriaan Strauss (c)LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:PR 16Bongi MbonambiPR 17Trevor Nyakane HK 18Julian Redelinghuys LK 19Pieter-Steph du Toit N8 20Warren Whiteley SH 21Rudy Paige FH 22Elton Jantjies CE 23Jesse Kriel Coach: Allister Coetzee FB 15Jared PayneRW 14Andrew TrimbleOC 13Robbie Henshaw IC 12Luke MarshallLW 11Keith Earls FH 10Paddy JacksonSH 9 Conor MurrayN8 8 Jamie HeaslipOF 7 Jordi Murphy BF 6 CJ Stander RL 5 Devin TonerLL 4 Iain Henderson TP 3 Mike Ross HK 2 Rory Best (c) LP 1 Jack McGrathReplacements:HK 16Sean Cronin PR 17Finlay BealhamPR 18Tadhg Furlong LK 19Ultan Dillane FL 20Rhys Ruddock SH 21Kieran MarmionFH 22Ian MadiganWG 23Craig Gilroy Coach: Joe Schmidt Man of the Match: Devin Toner (Ireland)
Touch judges: Angus Gardner (Australia) Matthew Carley (England)