The 2012 mid-year rugby union tests (also known as the Summer Internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) refer to the

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In it ...

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 World Rugby is the world governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport's most recognised and most profitable competition. It also organises a number of other international ru ...

(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 hosted

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

, marking the first three-Test series in Australia by a top European side since the

British & Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...

' 2001 tour.

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

hosted

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

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 Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

became the first Tier 1 nation to play a Test in the Pacific Islands since 2006, visiting Fiji and

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands ( Manono and Apolima); ...

. Also, Italy toured the Americas, claiming wins over

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

and the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

and a loss to

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

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 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

top try-scorer

Shane Williams Shane Mark Williams, (born 26 February 1977) is a Welsh rugby union player most famous for his long and successful tenure as a wing for the Ospreys and the Wales national team. He also played scrum-half on occasion. Williams is the record tr ...

. * Four players made their full international debuts for Wales:

Rhodri Jones Rhodri Jones (born 23 December 1991) is a Wales international rugby union player. Jones was born in Aberystwyth, and is a Welsh-speaker. He currently plays for the Dragons RFC, having previously played for Ospreys, Scarlets and Llanelli. His ...

, 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. ...

, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper,

Mike Harris Michael Deane Harris (born January 23, 1945) is a Canadian retired politician who served as the 22nd premier of Ontario from 1995 to 2002 and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PC Party) from 1990 to 2002. During his time ...

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. * 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,

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. Be ...

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 and Ronan Loughney. ---- *

Cooper Vuna Kerry Cooper Vuna (born 7 May 1987) is a professional rugby footballer who plays on the wing for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. He played rugby league as a for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby Leagu ...

(Australia) and

Ashley Beck Ashley Beck is a Wales international rugby union player. Beck currently played for Merthyr RFC, and has previously played for Worcester Warriors and the Ospreys. He has represented Wales and Wales U20. Club career Beck progressed through the ...

(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 union player who plays for South African side the Blue Bulls. He plays as a flanker. South Africa Coetzee made his debut in Super Rugby for the Sharks against the Brumbie ...

Eben Etzebeth Eben Etzebeth (born 29 October 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. His regular playing position is as a number 4 lock. Cl ...

, Juandré Kruger and Coenie Oosthuizen. * Three players made their full international debut for England: Tom Johnson,

Joe Marler Joseph William George Marler (born 7 July 1990) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a Rugby union positions#Prop, prop for Harlequin F.C., Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby, Premiership. He is also one of the hosts of T ...

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 The Hong Kong Sevens () is an rugby sevens tournament held annually in Hong Kong on a weekend in late March or early April. Considered the premier tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series competition, the Hong Kong Sevens is currently the s ...

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 The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...

'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 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 Champions ...

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 Nick De Luca (born 1 February 1984 in Dumfries, south west Scotland) is a retired, former Scottish international professional rugby union player. Early years De Luca was born in Dumfries and grew up in Lockerbie. Club rugby De Luca's positio ...

was out of the match due to a thigh strain, and would be replaced by Joe Ansbro. ---- ---- * New Zealand captain Richie McCaw picked up his 94th Test victory, breaking the all-time record he previously shared with

Australia's Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by a ...

George Gregan George Musarurwa Gregan AM (born 19 April 1973) is a retired Australian rugby union player, and is currently Australia's most capped international player. Gregan was born in Lusaka, Zambia. He played Super 12 (now Super Rugby) for the Brumbies ...

. ---- ---- * 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 Nanyak Dala (born 18 June 1984) is a Canadian rugby union player. His position is flanker, and he has played 14 tests for the Canadian national team. Dala currently plays for Castaway Wanderers RFC in the British Columbia Premiership and with ...

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 gat ...

2011–12 in European rugby union 2011–12 in Japanese rugby union 2012 in Oceanian rugby union 2012 in North American rugby union 2012 in South American rugby union 2012 in South African rugby union