The 2012 mid-year rugby union tests (also known as the Summer Internationals in the

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

) refer to the rugby union Internationals that were played through June, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. These matches marked the start of a global rugby calendar established by the International Rugby Board (IRB), which runs until 2019. The calendar includes a return of traditional tours by European teams, in which a team plays multiple Tests against a southern hemisphere side, often with mid-week matches against provincial or regional sides. This year, all three of the teams that competed in the Rugby Championship's predecessor tournament, the Tri Nations, hosted European nations in three-Test series.

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

hosted Wales, marking the first three-Test series in Australia by a top European side since the British & Irish Lions' 2001 tour. South Africa hosted England for three Tests, the first extended tour of that country by a single nation since New Zealand toured in 1996. The new calendar also provided expanded Test opportunities for so-called "Tier 2" nations. As part of this IRB initiative, another tradition returned – tours of the Pacific Islands by major nations. Scotland became the first Tier 1 nation to play a Test in the Pacific Islands since 2006, visiting

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

and Samoa. Also, Italy toured the Americas, claiming wins over Canada and the United States and a loss to Argentina.

Overview

Series

Other tours

Fixtures

Week 1

* As per tradition, the Barbarians' side featured uncapped players: Jérôme Fillol, Ernst Joubert and Anton van Zyl. ----

Week 2

* Contrary to tradition, the Barbarians side did not feature any uncapped players. ---- * The

Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU; cy, Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the Sports governing body, governing body of rugby union in the country of Wales, recognised by the sport's international governing body, World Rugby. The WRU is responsible for the running ...

announced that this would be a fully capped match. As a result,

Martyn Williams Martyn Elwyn Williams, (born 1 September 1975) is a former Wales and British & Irish Lions international rugby union player. A flanker, he was Wales' most-capped forward with 100 caps until surpassed by Gethin Jenkins on 30 November 2013. He ...

became the third Welsh player with 100 caps when he came off the bench. It was also announced that this match would be the last international appearance of Martyn Williams and Wales top try-scorer Shane Williams. * Four players made their full international debuts for Wales: Rhodri Jones, Harry Robinson, Liam Williams and Adam Warren. ----

Week 3

* Scotland claimed their first win in Australia since 1982. * Six players made their full international debut for Australia:

Dan Palmer Dan Palmer (born 13 September 1988) is a former Australian professional rugby union player. He played for the Waratahs and Brumbies in Super Rugby, before a short stint with French club Grenoble. He also earned one cap for Australia in 2012. Hi ...

, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Mike Harris,

Joe Tomane Joseph Malaki Tomane (born 11 February 1990) is an Australian professional rugby union footballer. He played inside centre for Leinster in the first game of the 18/19 Pro14, and formerly played for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition. ...

and

Luke Morahan Luke Morahan (born 13 April 1990) is an Australian rugby player currently playing for the Bristol Bears in the Premiership Rugby, English Premiership since 2017. Morahan's main position is on the Wing (rugby union), wing, however, he does also p ...

. * Two players made their full international debut for Scotland: Ryan Grant and Tom Brown. ---- * Three players made their full international debut for New Zealand:

Brodie Retallick Brodie Allan Retallick (born 31 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, who plays as a lock for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and is part of the squad for New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. Retallick ...

Julian Savea Sio Julian Savea (born 7 August 1990) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He currently plays wing for in Super Rugby Aotearoa. Savea formerly played for in the Top 14, and is a former captain of the Wellington Lions in the Mitre 10 Cup. Bet ...

and Aaron Smith. * Three players made their full international debut for Ireland:

Simon Zebo Simon Zebo (born 16 March 1990) is an Irish rugby union player for United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup side Munster. He is equally adept as a wing or fullback, having played in both positions often for Ireland, Munster and Racing 92. ...

Declan Fitzpatrick Declan Fitzpatrick (born 12 July 1983) is an Irish former rugby union footballer. He played for Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish p ...

and

Ronan Loughney Ronan Loughney (born 1 November 1984) is a retired professional rugby union player from Ireland. He played as a prop. Having started his career playing at loosehead, Loughney moved to tighthead in the 2011–12 season, but primarily played as a ...

. ---- * Cooper Vuna (Australia) and Ashley Beck (Wales) made their full international debuts. ---- * Four players made their full international debut for South Africa:

Marcell Coetzee Marcell Cornelius Coetzee (born 8 May 1991) is a South African rugby football, rugby union player who plays for South African side the Blue Bulls. He plays as a Flanker (rugby union), flanker. South Africa Coetzee made his debut in Super Rugb ...

, Eben Etzebeth,

Juandré Kruger Juandré Kruger (born 6 September 1985) is a South African professional Rugby union footballer, contracted to Rugby Club Toulon in the French Top 14. His preferred position is at Lock although he has also played in the back row. Career Early ...

and

Coenie Oosthuizen Coenraad Victor Oosthuizen (born 22 March 1989), nicknamed 'Coenie' or 'Shrek',http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/article1067479.ece/30-Seconds-with-Cheetahs-prop-Coenie-Oosthuizen TimesLive: 30 Seconds with Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen ...

. * Three players made their full international debut for England: Tom Johnson, Joe Marler and Jonathan Joseph ---- * Tomas Cubelli, Ignacio Mieres, Manuel Montero, Bruno Postiglioni and Joaquin Tuculet made their full international debuts for Argentina. * Alberto de Marchi made his full international debut for Italy. ---- ----

Week 4

---- * This was Ireland's first test match in Christchurch. ---- ---- * Tim Visser made his debut for Scotland, only four days after becoming eligible by completing three years' residency. ---- ---- * Brice Dulin, Romain Taofifenua, Christopher Tolofua and Yvan Watremez made their full international debuts for France in this match. * Rodrigo Baez made his full international debut for Argentina in this match. ---- * Three players made their full international debuts for the USA: Derek Asbun, Shaun Davies, and Tolifili Liufau. ----

Week 5

* This match was the first ever encounter between Japan and the French Barbarians. (Both teams had however played twice against each other in Sevens tournaments, at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1987 and at the Air France Sevens in 1999, the Baa-Baas claiming both victories.) * Pierre Bernard, Hugo Bonneval (following in his father Eric's footsteps), Henry Chavancy, Ibrahim Diarra, Thierry Lacrampe, Camille Lopez, Romain Millo-Chluski, Marvin O'Connor, Rabah Slimani and captain William Servat all made their debuts in the blue-striped shirt. ---- * Originally, New Zealand referee

Chris Pollock Chris Pollock is a former rugby union referee who represented the New Zealand Rugby Union. In 2008, he was part of the IRB's touch judge panel. He made his international referee debut in 2005, when he refereed Niue vs Tahiti, while his first IR ...

was meant to referee this match, but due to injury,

Jaco Peyper Jaco Peyper is a South African Rugby Union referee. Peyper rose through the ranks in South Africa quickly, making his Super Rugby debut in 2008 while still in his 20s. In 2011 he was named as an official for the 2011 IRB Junior World Championsh ...

of South Africa was the referee. He also refereed both the Australia and the Fiji games. * It was announced 50 minutes before kick-off that Nick De Luca was out of the match due to a thigh strain, and would be replaced by

Joe Ansbro Joe Ansbro (Born Glasgow, 29 October 1985) is a former Scottish international professional rugby union player. He is the first player of African origin to represent Scotland at test level in history. His favoured position is centre. He most rece ...

. ---- ---- * New Zealand captain Richie McCaw picked up his 94th Test victory, breaking the all-time record he previously shared with Australia's George Gregan. ---- ---- * Facundo Barrea made his full international debut for Argentina in this match. * Maxime Machenaud and Christophe Samson made their full international debuts for France in this match. * France won by a margin of 39 points, the biggest margin of victory for either side in matches between Argentina and France. ---- * It was announced several minutes before kick-off that Chauncey O'Toole was out injured and Nanyak Dala had replaced him. ---- ---- * Pierrick Gunther, Jean-Marc Mazzonetto and Ollie Phillips made their debuts for the French Barbarians.

References

External links

* http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3194026.stm {{DEFAULTSORT:Mid-Year

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

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