In 2019, some rugby union national teams played matches in preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The matches saw New Zealand lose first place in the World Rugby Rankings, initially to Wales, and eventually to Ireland.
Fixtures 22 June
Team details FB 15Gastón MieresRW 14Leandro LeivasOC 13Nicolás FreitasIC 12Andrés VilasecaLW 11Rodrigo Silva FH 10Juan Manuel CatSH 9 Agustín Ormaechea N8 8 Manuel Diana OF 7 Santiago Civetta BF 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (c)RL 5 Manuel LeindekarLL 4 Ignacio Dotti TP 3 Juan Rombys HK 2 Germán Kessler LP 1 Mateo Sanguinetti Replacements:HK 16Guillermo Pujadas PR 17Facundo Gattas PR 18Juan Echeverría LK 19Gonzalo Soto Mera FL 20Leandro Segredo FL 21Juan Diego Ormaechea SH 22Santiago Arata WG 23Tomás Inciarte Coach: Esteban Meneses FB 15Federico CasteglioniRW 14Ignacio Contardi OC 13Richard StewartIC 12Álvar GimenoLW 11Guillermo Domínguez FH 10David Mélé SH 9 Facundo Munilla N8 8 Afa TauliOF 7 Juan Pablo GuidoBF 6 Victor Sánchez Borrego RL 5 Michael Walter-Fitton LL 4 Manuel MoraTP 3 Alberto Blanco HK 2 Vicente del Hoyo LP 1 Fernando Martín López (c) Replacements:PR 16Thierry Feuteu HK 17Pablo Miejimolle PR 18Mattius Pisapia LK 19Ien Ascroft-Leigh FL 20Oier Goia SH 21Emiliano Calle Rivas WG 22Jordi Jorba WG 23Julen Goia Coach: Santiago Santos Assistant referees: URU Appt. (Uruguay) URU Appt. (Uruguay) Television match official: UAR Appt. (Argentina) Notes: Pablo Miejimolle (Spain) made his international debut. This was Spain's largest winning margin over Uruguay, surpassing the 17-point difference set in 2016.
13 July
Team details FB 15Alivereti VeitokaniRW 14Josua TuisovaOC 13Waisea Nayacalevu IC 12Levani BotiaLW 11Eroni SauFH 10Ben Volavola SH 9 Frank Lomani N8 8 Viliame Mata OF 7 Semi KunataniBF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c) RL 5 Leone NakarawaLL 4 Albert TuisueTP 3 Manasa Saulo HK 2 Samuel Matavesi LP 1 Peni Ravai Replacements:HK 16Mesu Dolokoto PR 17Eroni Mawi PR 18Kalivati Tawake LK 19Api Ratuniyarawa N8 20Nemani Nagusa SH 21Henry Seniloli CE 22Sevanaia Galala WG 23Patrick Osborne Coach: John McKee FB 15Fletcher Smith RW 14Shaun StevensonOC 13Rob ThompsonIC 12Teihorangi Walden LW 11Sean WainuiFH 10Otere Black SH 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi N8 8 Akira Ioane OF 7 Mitch KarpikBF 6 Reed PrinsepRL 5 Tom FranklinLL 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere TP 3 Tyrel Lomax HK 2 Ash Dixon (c) LP 1 Ross Wright Replacements:HK 16Nathan Harris PR 17Haereiti Hetet PR 18Marcel Renata LK 19Pari Pari Parkinson FL 20Whetu Douglas SH 21Bryn Hall CE 22Alex Nankivell WG 23Jordan Hyland Coach: Clayton McMillan Man of the Match: Levani Botia (Fiji)
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia) Jordan Way (Australia) Notes: Fiji's win ended a 16-match losing streak against the Maori All Blacks, dating back to 1957.
20 July
Team details FB 15Shaun StevensonRW 14Jordan HylandOC 13Rob Thompson IC 12Alex NankivellLW 11Sean WainuiFH 10Otere Black SH 9 Bryn Hall N8 8 Whetu DouglasOF 7 Mitch Karpik BF 6 Reed PrinsepRL 5 Pari Pari Parkinson LL 4 Tom FranklinTP 3 Tyrel Lomax HK 2 Ash Dixon (c) LP 1 Ross Wright Replacements:HK 16Nathan Harris PR 17Haereiti Hetet PR 18Marcel Renata LK 19Isaia Walker-Leawere N8 20Akira Ioane SH 21Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi FB 22Fletcher Smith CE 23Teihorangi Walden Coach: Clayton McMillan FB 15Kini Murimurivalu RW 14Patrick OsborneOC 13Waisea NayacalevuIC 12Jale Vatubua LW 11Filipo NakosiFH 10Alivereti VeitokaniSH 9 Henry Seniloli N8 8 Nemani Nagusa OF 7 Mosese VokaBF 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c)RL 5 Api Ratuniyarawa LL 4 Tevita RatuvaTP 3 Lee Roy Atalifo HK 2 Tuvere Veremalua LP 1 Campese Ma'afu Replacements:HK 16Sam Matavesi PR 17Joeli Veitayaki Jr. PR 18Luke Tagi LK 19Albert Tuisue N8 20Johnny Dyer SH 21Seru Vularika CE 22Sevanaia Galala CE 23Josh Matavesi Coach: John McKee Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (Australia) Jordan Way (Australia) Television match official: James Leckie (Fiji)
10 August
Team details FB 15Jordan LarmourRW 14Andrew Conway OC 13Garry RingroseIC 12Chris FarrellLW 11Dave KearneyFH 10Joey Carbery SH 9 Luke McGrath N8 8 Jordi MurphyOF 7 Tommy O'DonnellBF 6 Rhys Ruddock (c) RL 5 Jean Kleyn LL 4 Devin Toner TP 3 Andrew Porter HK 2 Rob Herring LP 1 Jack McGrath Replacements:HK 16Niall Scannell PR 17Cian Healy PR 18John Ryan LK 19Iain Henderson FL 20Tadhg Beirne SH 21Kieran Marmion FH 22Jack Carty WG 23Mike Haley Coach: Joe Schmidt FB 15Edoardo PadovaniRW 14Angelo EspositoOC 11Giulio BisegniIC 13Tommaso Benvenuti LW 23Matteo Minozzi FH 10Carlo CannaSH 9 Guglielmo Palazzani N8 8 Jimmy Tuivaiti OF 7 Maxime Mbanda BF 6 Giovanni LicataRL 5 Dean Budd (c)LL 4 Alessandro Zanni TP 3 Marco Riccioni HK 2 Oliviero Fabiani LP 1 Nicola Quaglio Replacements:HK 16Federico Zani PR 17Andrea Lovotti PR 18Simone Ferrari FL 19Marco Lazzaroni FL 20Renato Giammarioli SH 21Callum Braley FH 22Ian McKinley FL 26Sebastian Negri Coach: Conor O'Shea Man of the Match: Andrew Conway (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Tom Foley (England) Mike Adamson (Scotland) Television match official: Graham Hughes (England) Notes: Mike Haley and Jean Kleyn (both Ireland) and Callum Braley and Marco Riccioni (both Italy) made their international debuts. Marco Zanon withdrew at the last moment due to injury, being replaced by the wing/fullback Matteo Minozzi.
11 August
Team details FB 15Elliot DalyRW 14Joe CokanasigaOC 13Jonathan Joseph IC 12Piers Francis LW 11Anthony WatsonFH 10George Ford (c)SH 9 Willi Heinz N8 8 Billy VunipolaOF 7 Tom Curry BF 6 Lewis Ludlam RL 5 Charlie EwelsLL 4 Joe Launchbury TP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Luke Cowan-DickieLP 1 Ellis GengeReplacements:HK 16Jack Singleton PR 17Joe MarlerPR 18Harry Williams LK 19George Kruis FL 20Courtney Lawes SH 21Ben Youngs CE 22Joe Marchant CE 23Manu Tuilagi Coach: Eddie Jones FB 15Liam WilliamsRW 14George NorthOC 13Jonathan DaviesIC 12Hadleigh Parkes LW 11Josh AdamsFH 10Gareth Anscombe SH 9 Gareth Davies N8 8 Ross MoriartyOF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 Aaron WainwrightRL 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)LL 4 Adam Beard TP 3 Tomas Francis HK 2 Ken Owens LP 1 Nicky Smith Replacements:HK 16Elliot Dee PR 17Wyn Jones PR 18Dillon Lewis LK 19Jake Ball FL 20Aaron Shingler SH 21Aled Davies FH 22Dan Biggar WG 23Owen Watkin Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Billy Vunipola (England)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France) Alexandre Ruiz (France) Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland) Notes: Willi Heinz, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marchant, and Jack Singleton (all England) made their international debuts. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) became his country's most-capped player with 135 international appearances; 126 for Wales, 9 for the British and Irish Lions. Wales' defeat ended their record 14-match unbeaten streak. Sam Underhill, Henry Slade and Ruaridh McConnochie were named in England's starting lineup at open-side flanker, outside centre and right wing respectively, but were all ruled out due to injury. Tom Curry moved to open-side as Lewis Ludlam took Curry's place at blind-side, while Jonathan Joseph and Joe Cokanasiga replaced Slade and McConnochie. Courtney Lawes and Manu Tuilagi took Ludlam and Cokanasiga's places on the bench. Tomos Williams was also to start as the replacement scrum half for Wales but was also ruled out. He was replaced by Aled Davies.
12 August
17 August
Team details FB 15Beauden BarrettRW 14Sevu ReeceOC 13Anton Lienert-BrownIC 12Sonny Bill Williams LW 11George BridgeFH 10Richie Mo'unga SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Ardie SaveaRL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Patrick Tuipulotu TP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Codie Taylor PR 17Ofa Tu'ungafasi PR 18Angus Ta'avao LK 19Jackson Hemopo FL 20Matt Todd SH 21TJ Perenara CE 22Ngani Laumape FB 23Jordie Barrett Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Kurtley BealeRW 14Reece HodgeOC 13James O'Connor IC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Christian Lealiifano SH 9 Nic White N8 8 Isi NaisaraniOF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto RL 5 Adam Coleman LL 4 Izack RoddaTP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Tolu Latu LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Folau Fainga'a PR 17James Slipper PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Rob Simmons FL 20Liam Wright SH 21Will Genia FH 22Matt To'omua CE 23Adam Ashley-Cooper Coach: Michael Cheika Man of the Match: Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) Shuhei Kubo (Japan) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Notes: Liam Wright (Australia) made his international debut. New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup. This was Steve Hansen's 100th test as head coach of New Zealand.
Team details FB 15Leigh HalfpennyRW 14George NorthOC 13Jonathan DaviesIC 12Hadleigh Parkes LW 11Josh AdamsFH 10Dan Biggar SH 9 Gareth Davies N8 8 Ross MoriartyOF 7 James Davies BF 6 Aaron Wainwright RL 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)LL 4 Jake Ball TP 3 Tomas Francis HK 2 Ken OwensLP 1 Nicky Smith Replacements:HK 16Elliot Dee PR 17Wyn Jones PR 18Dillon Lewis FL 19Aaron Shingler FL 20Josh Navidi SH 21Aled Davies FH 22Jarrod Evans CE 23Owen Watkin Coach: Warren Gatland FB 15Elliot DalyRW 14Anthony Watson OC 13Jonathan JosephIC 12Piers Francis LW 11Joe CokanasigaFH 10George Ford (c) SH 9 Willi Heinz N8 8 Billy VunipolaOF 7 Lewis Ludlam BF 6 Courtney LawesRL 5 Maro ItojeLL 4 Joe Launchbury TP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie LP 1 Ellis Genge Replacements:HK 16Jamie George PR 17Joe Marler PR 18Kyle Sinckler LK 19George Kruis HK 20Jack Singleton SH 21Ben Youngs FH 22Owen Farrell CE 23Manu Tuilagi Coach: Eddie Jones Man of the Match: Dan Biggar (Wales)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France) Alexandre Ruiz (France) Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland) Notes: With this result, Wales became the fourth team to be placed number 1 in the World Rugby Rankings, ending New Zealand's 10-year run at the top dating back to 16 November 2009. England failed to score in a first half for the first time since their 2011 World Cup quarter-final versus France. Ruaridh McConnochie was named as England's right wing but was ruled out with injury for the second week running. He was replaced by Anthony Watson. Liam Williams was also ruled out at fullback for Wales and replaced by Leigh Halfpenny. Following George North's try, when Dan Biggar took a quick penalty before England's Ben Youngs had come on for Willi Heinz, World Rugby changed Law 3 so that play cannot restart until a player who has gone off due a blood or head injury has been temporarily replaced.
Team details FB 15Warrick GelantRW 14S'busiso NkosiOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12André Esterhuizen LW 11Dillyn LeydsFH 10Elton JantjiesSH 9 Cobus Reinach N8 8 Marcell Coetzee OF 7 Rynhardt ElstadtBF 6 Siya Kolisi RL 5 Lood de Jager LL 4 RG SnymanTP 3 Vincent Koch HK 2 Schalk Brits (c) LP 1 Thomas du Toit Replacements:HK 16Siyabonga Ntubeni PR 17Lizo Gqoboka PR 18Wilco Louw LK 19Marvin Orie FL 20Kwagga Smith FL 21Marco van Staden SH 22Faf de Klerk CE 23François Steyn Coach: Rassie Erasmus FB 15Joaquín TuculetRW 14Sebastián CancelliereOC 13Jerónimo de la FuenteIC 12Lucas MensaLW 11Ramiro Moyano FH 10Joaquín Díaz Bonilla SH 9 Felipe Ezcurra N8 8 Javier Ortega Desio OF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Pablo Matera (c)RL 5 Tomás LavaniniLL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Santiago Medrano HK 2 Julián Montoya LP 1 Mayco Vivas Replacements:HK 16Santiago Socino PR 17Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro PR 18Juan Figallo LK 19Matías Alemanno FL 20Tomás Lezana SH 21Gonzalo Bertranou FH 22Benjamín Urdapilleta WG 23Santiago Carreras Coach: Mario Ledesma Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) Pierre Brousset (France) Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland) Notes: Siyabonga Ntubeni (South Africa) and Santiago Carreras and Lucas Mensa (both Argentina) made their international debuts. Jerónimo de la Fuente (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap.