This is a list of international rugby league matches played throughout 2016. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.
February Philippines men vs Serbia in Australia
FB 1 Trent SwansonWG 2 Blake MackeyCE 3 Richie GoodwinCE 4 Ned StephensonWG 5 Michael MasonFE 6 James MarcusHB 7 Paul SheedyPR 8 Dylan JonesHK 9 Luke Srama (c)PR 10 Glenn PowersSR 11 Rez Phillips (c)SR 12 Ricky KuciaLK 13 Steven BernstromInterchange:BE 14 Tyrone TootellBE 15 Elvis JensenBE 16 Will GroomsBE 17 Jeremy GroomsCoach:Arwin Marcus FB 1 Joshua MarjanovićWG 2 Miloš ZogovićCE 3 Miloš ĆalićCE 4 Stevan StevanovićWG 17 Džavid JašariFE 6 Vojislav DedićHB 7 Dalibor Vukanović (c)PR 8 David AndjelićHK 9 Vladislav DedićPR 10 Stefan NedeljkovićSR 11 George VujanovićSR 12 Nikola ŠtrbacLK 13 Ilija RadanInterchange:BE 15 Reece GrkinićBE 16 Milan RadojevićBE 18 Ilija ČotrićBE 19 Dejan LukenićCoach:Jason Green
May Women's ANZAC Test
ANZAC Test
Melanesian Cup The 2016 Melanesian Cup was played between Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Papua New Guinea created history to win their first Melanesian Cup title. The test looked in a similar situation to last year when Fiji took a comfortable lead into the break but this time around Papua New Guinea scored enough points in the second half to outscore their pacific rivals and win their first major title since the 2009 Pacific Cup. Captain David Mead shone for the Kumuls as he made try-saving tackles, assists and even line breaks in a man-of-the-match performance which was a crucial influence to earning his country's first win on away soil since the year 2000. Fiji picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while PNG featured five players making their first ever International appearance for their country. Both teams had a fair share of NRL, Queensland or New South Wales Cup, as well as domestic club players. Papua New Guinea's most capped player was Rod Griffin who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Fiji's most experienced player was Akuila Uate who made his 12th appearance for his country. Gold Coast's David Mead captained Papua New Guinea, and Port Kembla Blacks' James Storer led Fiji.
FB 1 David Mead (c)RW 2 Justin OlamRC 3 Kato OttioLC 4 Nene McDonaldLW 5 Stargroth AmeanSO 6 Ase BoasSH 7 Watson BoasPR 8 Luke PageHK 9 Wartovo PuaraPR 10 Henry WanSR 11 Rhyse MartinSR 12 Rod GriffinLF 13 Adam KoraveSubstitutions:IC 14 Adex WeraIC 15 Brandy PeterIC 16 Willie MinogaIC 17 Kurt BaptisteCoach: Michael Marum FB 1 Tyrone PhillipsRW 2 Akuila UateRC 3 Sisa WaqaLC 4 Brayden WiliameLW 5 Etuate QionimacawaSO 6 Sitiveni MoceidrekeSH 7 Maurice KennedyPR 8 Kane EvansHK 9 James Storer (c)PR 10 Daniel SaifitiSR 11 Junior RoqicaSR 12 Fabian GoodallLF 13 Eloni VunakeceSubstitutions:IC 14 Ben NakubuwaiIC 15 Tui KamikamicaIC 16 Tevita CottrellIC 17 Jokatama DokonivaluCoach: Mick Potter Notes: This was the first of the two 2016 Pacific Rugby League Tests. The win was Papua New Guinea's first win on foreign soil since the 2000 World Cup. With the victory, Papua New Guinea now hold the Melanesian Cup shield. Rod Griffin made his 10th test appearance for Papua New Guinea. James Storer made his 10th test appearance for Fiji. Justin Olam, Stargroth Amean, Watson Boas, Henry Wan and Kurt Baptiste made their international debuts for Papua New Guinea while Etuate Qionimacawa, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Maurice Kennedy, Ben Nakubuwai, Tui Kamikamica, Tevita Cottrell and Jokatama Dokonivalu made their international debuts for Fiji.
Polynesian Cup The 2016 Polynesian Cup was played between Samoa and Tonga. Samoa defeated Tonga to win their second consecutive Polynesian Cup title. The strong crowd would always show their passion and loud screaming support throughout the game after big hits, strong runs and intense moments were key talking points. However a total of 29 errors and a completion rate of just over 50% from both countries was a headache for everyone to watch. Despite Tonga having 55% possession and more territory, they didn't score and the Samoans made them pay by taking their few second-half opportunities that were given to them resulting in another Samoan victory over their old 'War rivals'. Samoa picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while Tonga featured three. Both teams' players varied from National Rugby League players to Queensland or New South Wales Cup to Holden Cup and to the Super League. Samoa's most capped player was Leeson Ah Mau who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Tonga's most experienced player was Feleti Mateo who made his 13th appearance for his country. English Super League club Hull F.C. gave permission for two players to leave England and play in the Polynesian Cup test; coincidentally they were captain of both nations. Frank Pritchard captained Samoa, and Sika Manu led Tonga.
FB 1 Tim SimonaRW 2 Antonio WintersteinRC 4 Ricky LeuteleLC 3 Kirisome Auva'aLW 5 Matthew WrightSO 6 Fa'amanu BrownSH 7 Pita GodinetPR 8 Sam KasianoHK 9 Kaysa PritchardPR 10 Junior PauloSR 11 Leeson Ah MauSR 12 Frank Pritchard (c)LF 13 Sauaso SueSubstitutions:IC 14 Erin ClarkIC 15 John AsiataIC 16 Raymond Faitala-MarinerIC 17 Sam TagataeseCoach: Matt Parish FB 1 David FusituaRW 2 Mosese PangaiRC 3 Solomone KataLC 4 Vai ToutaiLW 5 Michael OldfieldSO 6 Feleti MateoSH 7 Samisoni LangiPR 8 Peni TerepoHK 9 Sione KatoaPR 10 Felise KaufusiSR 11 Sika Manu (c)SR 12 Tony WilliamsLF 13 Joe OfahengaueSubstitutions:IC 14 Nafe SeluiniIC 15 David FifitaIC 16 Siosaia VaveIC 17 Patrick KaufusiCoach: Kristian Woolf
Notes: This was the second of the two 2016 Pacific Rugby League Tests. With the victory, Samoa retain the Polynesian Cup shield. Leeson Ah Mau made his 10th test appearance for Samoa. Kirisome Auva'a, Fa'amanu Brown, Erin Clark, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and John Asiata made their international debuts for Samoa while David Fusitu'a, Patrick Kaufusi and Sione Katoa made their international debuts for Tonga.
Lebanon men vs Cook Islands in Australia
June Chile men vs El Salvador in Australia
Notes This was the first ever 13-aside match both teams ever played as they regularly play 9-aside matches against each other and fellow Latin Heat-based nations.
Italy men vs Lebanon
Notes: This was the first Mediterranean Cup since 2004. Both nations fielded a total of 12 debutants each.
European Championship C
Notes: Ukraine win 2016 Rugby League European Championship C July Sweden men vs Norway
Notes: This was a part of the 2016 Nordic Cup. This was the first time ever that the Nordic Cup only featured two countries, after Denmark withdrew from the tournament. It was Norway's first Nordic Cup win since 2012.
America's Cup
Notes: Former NRL player, Taioalo 'Junior' Vaivai, made his International debut for the United States.
Notes: Also played as part of the Colonial Cup.
August European Triangular Series
Notes With the win, Germany retained the Griffin Cup.
Fiji men vs Canada in the United States
Notes: This was a part of the 2016 Ohana Cup.
September Czech Republic men vs Norway
Spain men vs Serbia
October United States men vs Canada
World Cup European qualifiers
FB 1 Nikolay ZagoskinRW 5 Vadim BuryakRC 21 Kirill KosharinLC 3 Leonid KalininLW 18 Dmitry BratkoSO 6 Aleksandr LysokonSH 7 Denis TiulenevPR 8 Sergei Konstantinov (c)HK 4 Petr BotnarashPR 10 Ivan TroitskiiSR 12 Mikhail BurlutskiiSR 11 Andrey KuznetsovLF 13 Viacheslav EreminSubstitutes:IC 17 Igor ChuprinIC 2 Maksim SuchkovIC 9 Vladimir VlasyukIC 15 Sergey GaponovCoach: Denis Korolev FB 1 Daniel GarciaRW 2 Clement LaguerreRC 3 Antonio PuertaLC 4 Alexandre DoutresLW 5 Chris LopezFE 6 Ivan OrdazHB 7 Miguel Charters-BlancoPR 8 Luis ThorpHK 9 Gonzalo MorroPR 10 Adria AlonsoSR 11 Cedric BringuierSR 12 Matt DulleyLK 13 Aitor Davila (c)Substitutes:IC 14 Andrew PilkingtonIC 15 Leandre TorresIC 16 Kevin AparicioIC 17 Juan Pablo RangoCoach: Darren Fisher
FB 1 Elliot KearRW 2 Regan GraceRC 4 Christiaan RoetsLC 18 Andrew GayLW 5 Rhys WilliamsSO 6 Courtney DaviesSH 7 Ollie OldsPR 8 Gil DudsonHK 9 Lloyd WhitePR 10 Craig Kopczak (c)SR 11 Rhodri LloydSR 15 Joe BurkeLF 13 Philip JosephSubstitutes:IC 14 Steve ParryIC 16 Jacob EmmittIC 17 Anthony WalkerIC 19 Matty FozardCoach: John Kear FB 1 Vojislav DedićRW 2 Joshua MarjanovićRC 3 Miloš ĆalićLC 4 Stevan StevanovićLW 5 Pero Madžarević FE 6 Daniel BurkeHB 7 Dalibor Vukanović (c)PR 8 David AndjelićHK 9 Vladislav DedićPR 10 Jordan GrantSR 11 Chad GrantSR 12 Jason MurankaLK 13 Stefan NedeljkovićSubstitutes:IC 14 Ilija RadanIC 15 James MirceskiIC 16 Reece GrkinićIC 17 Džavid JašariCoach: Ljubomir Bukvic
FB 1 Vojislav DedićRW 2 Miloš ZogovićRC 3 Miloš ĆalićLC 4 Stevan StevanovićLW 5 Joshua MarjanovićFE 6 Daniel BurkeHB 7 Dalibor Vukanović (c)PR 8 Ilija RadanHK 9 Reece GrkinićPR 10 Jordan GrantSR 11 James MirceskiSR 12 Jason MurankaLK 13 Chad GrantSubstitutes:IC 14 David AndjelićIC 15 Miodrag TomićIC 16 Vlado KušićIC 17 Vladislav DedićCoach: Ljubomir Bukvic FB 1 Mason CerrutoRW 2 Chris CentroneRC 3 Justin CastellaroLC 4 Mirco BergamascoLW 5 Richard LeporiFE 6 Terry CampeseHB 7 Ryan GhiettiPR 8 Shannon WakemanHK 9 Dean ParataPR 10 Gavin HiscoxSR 11 Jayden WalkerSR 12 Brenden SantiLK 13 Joel RiethmullerSubstitutes:IC 14 Col WilkieIC 15 Christophe CalegariIC 16 Kieran QuabbaIC 17 Gioele CelerinoCoach: Cameron Ciraldo
FB 2 Chris CentroneRW 3 Justin CastellaroRC 15 Christophe CalegariLC 4 Mirco BergamascoLW 5 Richard LeporiFE 6 Terry CampeseHB 7 Ryan GhiettiPR 8 Shannon WakemanHK 9 Dean ParataPR 10 Gavin HiscoxSR 11 Jayden WalkerSR 12 Brenden SantiLK 13 Joel RiethmullerSubstitutes:IC 1 Mason CerrutoIC 14 Col WilkieIC 16 Kieran QuabbaIC 17 Gioele CelerinoCoach: Cameron Ciraldo FB 1 Elliot KearRW 2 Rhys WilliamsRC 26 Ben MorrisLC 16 Andrew GayLW 3 Dai EvansSO 6 Courtney DaviesSH 17 Matty FozardPR 8 Gil DudsonHK 9 Lloyd WhitePR 10 Craig Kopczak (c)SR 11 Rhodri LloydSR 12 Philip JosephLF 13 Steve ParrySubstitutes:IC 14 Joe BurkeIC 15 Anthony WalkerIC 23 Sam HopkinsIC 24 Danny AnsellCoach: John Kear
FB 1 Daniel GarciaRW 2 Clement LaguerreRC 3 Antonio PuertaLC 4 Alexandre DoutresLW 5 Chris LopezFE 6 Ivan OrdazHB 7 Miguel Charters-BlancoPR 8 Luis ThorpHK 9 Nicolas MunozPR 10 Joel Marquez-LaynezSR 11 Leandre TorresSR 12 Cedric Bringuier LK 13 Kevin AparicioSubstitutes:IC 14 Andrew PilkingtonIC 15 Aitor DavilaIC 16 Matt DulleyIC 17 Adria AlonsoCoach: Darren Fisher FB 1 Shannon McDonnellRW 2 Casey DunneRC 3 Stuart LittlerLC 4 Oliver RobertsLW 5 Alan McMahonFE 6 Scott GrixHB 7 Liam Finn (c)PR 8 James HassonHK 9 Joseph KeyesPR 10 Luke AmblerSR 11 David AllenSR 12 Will HopeLK 13 George KingSubstitutes:IC 14 Haydn PeacockIC 15 Matty HaddenIC 16 James KellyIC 17 Gareth GillCoach: Mark Aston
Japan men vs Greece
Samoa men vs Fiji
The match was in celebration of the 30th anniversary of rugby league in Samoa. In support of the match, John Grant, the Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby League Commission, provided an Australian registered referee along with senior staff and management to help with the organisation of the match.
Australia men vs New Zealand
Solomon Islands men in Vanuatu
Wales men vs Jamaica in England
France men vs England
Thailand men vs Malta
Notes: Cancelled due to Thailand entering a year-long period of mourning upon the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
South Africa men vs Niue series
Notes: This was initially announced as a triangular series that also included but following their withdrawal it was changed to a two match series between South Africa and Niue.
Four Nations