The 2018 mid-year rugby union internationals (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 ...

) are international

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 its m ...

matches that are mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June international window. The matches are part of

World Rugby 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 rug ...

's global rugby calendar (2012–19) that includes

test matches Test match in some sports refers to a sporting contest between national representative teams and may refer to: * Test cricket * Test match (indoor cricket) * Test match (rugby union) * Test match (rugby league) * Test match (association football) ...

between touring

nations and home Southern Hemisphere nations. In addition, the global calendar gives Tier 2 nations the opportunity to play Tier 1 nations outside the November International Window, increasing competitiveness from the Tier 2 sides ahead of the

2019 Rugby World Cup The 2019 Rugby World Cup was the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It was hosted in Japan from 20 September to 2 November in 12 venues all across the country. The opening match ...

Series

Fixtures

27 May

Notes: * This is the first time since 2014 the Barbarians had defeated England.

31 May

2 June

Notes: * Tomos Williams (Wales) and Robert du Preez,

Thomas du Toit Thomas Joubert du Toit (born 5 May 1995) is a South African rugby union player for the South Africa national rugby union team, South Africa national team and the in the United Rugby Championship. His regular position is prop. His nickname is Th ...

, André Esterhuizen,

Travis Ismaiel Travis Keenan Ismaiel (born 2 June 1992 in Cape Town) is a South African rugby union player for the in Super Rugby. His regular position is winger. Career Youth He played for the team in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship competitio ...

Jason Jenkins Jason Howell Jenkins (born 2 December 1995) is a South African rugby union player for United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup side Leinster. His regular position is lock, though he can also play in the back-row. Career 2014 After complet ...

Makazole Mapimpi Makazole Drex Mapimpi (born 26 July 1990) is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and the in the United Rugby Championship. He usually plays as a winger and centre. He was part of the winning Spri ...

Ox Nché Retshegofaditswe 'Tshego' Nché – more commonly referred to as Ox Nché – (born 23 July 1995) is a South African rugby union player for the in Super Rugby and the South African national team the Springboks. His regular position is prop, an ...

Sikhumbuzo Notshe Sikhumbuzo Notshe (born 28 May 1993) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Cell C Sharks in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup. His regular playing position is flanker. Career Youth Notshe represente ...

Marvin Orie Marvin Orie (born 15 February 1993 in Cape Town) is a South African rugby union player for the South Africa national team, the in the United Rugby Championship and Western Province in the Currie Cup. His regular position is lock. Career Youth ...

Embrose Papier Embrose Cheldon Papier (born 25 April 1997) is a South African professional rugby union player for the in the United Rugby Championship and the in the Currie Cup. His regular position is scrum-half. Rugby career 2010–2015: Schoolboy rugby ...

Kwagga Smith Albertus Stephanus Smith (born 11 June 1993), known professionally as Kwagga Smith, is a South African rugby union player for the South Africa national team, the in Super Rugby and Yamaha Júbilo in the Japanese Top League. His regular positi ...

, Akker van der Merwe and Ivan van Zyl (all South Africa) made their international debuts. * This victory saw Wales record a record third consecutive win against the Springboks.

9 June

Notes: * This is Japan's biggest winning margin over a Tier 1 Nation, surpassing the 15-point difference set in 1998 and 2013 with wins over Argentina and Wales. * Giosuè Zilocchi (Italy) made his international debut. ---- Notes: * Karl Tu’inukuafe (New Zealand) made his international debut. *

Beauden Barrett Beauden John Barrett (born 27 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays as a Fly-half (rugby union), First five-eighth (fly-half) and Fullback (rugby union), fullback for Taranaki Rugby Football Union, Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cu ...

Jordie Barrett Jordan Matthew Barrett (born 17 February 1997) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a Centre (rugby union), utility back internationally for New Zealand's All Blacks, and for the Wellington Hurricanes, Hurricanes in the Sup ...

and Scott Barrett became the first trio of brothers to start in an All Blacks XV. ---- Notes: * Brandon Paenga-Amosa,

Pete Samu Peter Samu (born 17 December 1991) is an Australian professional rugby union player who is currently a loose forward for the in Super Rugby. He has represented Australia in international rugby. After several seasons playing in Australia and ...

and

Caleb Timu Caleb Timu (born 22 February 1994) is a New Zealand-born Australian rugby footballer of Samoan heritage who played rugby union for the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby competition and for Montpellier Herault Rugby in Top 14. His position o ...

(all Australia) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: *

Aphiwe Dyantyi Aphiwe Odwa Dyantyi (born ) is a South African professional rugby union player recently signed for the who participate in the United Rugby Championship, the EPCR Challenge Cup. His regular position is Wing Rugby career Schools rugby (2007� ...

, Sbu Nkosi and

RG Snyman Rudolph Gerhardus Snyman (born 29 January 1995) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Irish province Munster in the United Rugby Championship. His regular position is loc ...

(all South Africa) and Brad Shields and Ben Spencer (both England) made their international debuts. *

Siya Kolisi Siyamthanda Kolisi (born 16 June 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently captains the South Africa national team and also the Cell C Sharks. He plays club rugby for the in the Currie Cup. He generally plays as a ...

became the first non-white South African captain. *

Mako Vunipola Mako Vunipola (born 14 January 1991) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a loosehead prop for English club Saracens and the England national team. Born in New Zealand to Tongan parents, he qualified for England through residenc ...

(England) earned his 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * Javier Díaz,

Bautista Delguy Bautista Delguy (born 22 April 1997) is an Argentine rugby union player who plays for the Argentina national team and ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14. His playing position is Wing. Delguy's professional debut came against the Lions ...

and Santiago Medrano (all Argentina) and Aaron Wainwright (Wales) made their international debuts. * This is Wales' first victory over Argentina in Argentina since their 35–20 win in 2004. ---- Notes: * Paul Mullen (United States) and Anton Drozdov (Russia) made their international debuts. * The 49-point difference set surpasses the previous record set in 2004 when the United States won by 30 points (41–11) ---- Notes: *

Theo Sauder Theo Sauder (born 2 April 1996) is a Canadian rugby union player that plays fullback and fly-half. He currently plays for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby as well as the Canada national rugby sevens team. Early life Sauder was born in ...

(Canada) and

Lewis Carmichael Lewis Carmichael (born 1995) is a former Scotland international rugby union player who last played for Edinburgh Rugby in the Pro14. At the conclusion of the 2020–21 Pro14 season Carmichael announced his retirement from professional rugby ...

Adam Hastings Adam Hastings (born 5 October 1996) is a Scotland international rugby union player who plays for Gloucester Rugby at the Fly-half position. He is the son of World Rugby Hall of Fame full-back Gavin Hastings. Rugby Union career Amateur career ...

, James Lang and

Jamie Ritchie Jamie Ritchie (born 16 August 1996) is a Scotland international rugby union player who plays for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. Rugby Union career Jamie Ritchie started his rugby career while being brought up in Dundee. One ...

(all Scotland) made their international debuts. *

Nick Blevins Nickalas Leslie Blevins (born 11 November 1988 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a rugby union centre who plays for Prairie Wolf Pack and Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atl ...

and

Phil Mack Phil Mack (born 18 September 1985 in Victoria, British Columbia) is a rugby union scrum-half who played for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR). He was the Seawolves head coach, winning an MLR Championship Shield in 2018. He also ...

(both Canada) earned their 50th test cap.

16 June

Notes: *

Yu Tamura is a Japanese rugby union player. Tamura currently plays for the Canon Eagles rugby team. His regular playing positions are fly-half and Centre. Education Tamura studied at Meiji University. Playing career Tamura plays for the Sunwolves an ...

(Japan) earned his 50th test cap. * Cherif Traorè (Italy) made his international debut. ---- Notes: * Pierre Bougarit (France) made his international debut. * New Zealand retain the

Dave Gallaher Trophy The Dave Gallaher Trophy is a rugby union trophy contested between and . It is named after Dave Gallaher, the The Original All Blacks, 1905–06 All Black captain who was killed in Belgium during World War I. History When it comes to Rugby Union, ...

. ---- Notes: *

Tadhg Beirne Tadhg Gerard Beirne (; born 8 January 1992) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Munster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. His primary playing position is lock, but can also play in the b ...

(Ireland) made his international debut. * This was Ireland's first win in Australia since their 9–3 victory in

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

1979 Events January * January 1 ** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...

. ---- Notes: *

Tendai Mtawarira Tendai Mtawarira (born 1 August 1985) is a Zimbabwean-South African retired professional rugby union player who last played for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby and previously for the South Africa national team and the in Super Rugby. He w ...

(South Africa) earned his 100th test cap. ---- Notes: * This win sees Wales claim their first series victory over Argentina since

1999 File:1999 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The funeral procession of King Hussein of Jordan in Amman; the 1999 İzmit earthquake kills over 17,000 people in Turkey; the Columbine High School massacre, one of the first major school shootin ...

. ---- Notes: * Jorden Sandover-Best (Canada) made his international debut. * This was Russia's first victory over Canada. ---- Notes: *

Matt Fagerson Matthew Joseph Fagerson (born 16 July 1998) is a Scottish professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for United Rugby Championship club Glasgow Warriors and the Scotland national team. Early life Fagerson played for the g ...

and George Horne (both Scotland) made their international debuts. * This was the United States first win over Scotland, and their first against a Tier 1 nation since winning 17–3 against France in 1924.

23 June

Notes: *

Albert Tuisue Albert Tuisue (born 6 June 1993) is a Fijian professional rugby union player who currently plays for Gloucester Rugby, Gloucester in Premiership Rugby. He plays as lock or back row. He is known for his aggression on the field. Background Tuisu ...

(Fiji) made his international debut. *

Leone Nakarawa Lieutenant Leone Nakarawa (born 2 April 1988) is a Fijian rugby union, rugby union footballer and Olympic gold medalist. He plays as a Lock (rugby union), Second-Row forward for RC Toulonnais, Toulon and represents the Fiji national rugby union ...

(Fiji) earned his 50th test cap. *

Vereniki Goneva Vereniki Goneva (born 5 April 1984) is a Fijian rugby union footballer who plays for Mont-de-Marsan in France's Pro D2, the second division. He plays as a centre or wing. Goneva made his debut in English rugby for Rotherham against Northampt ...

's try was his 20th try which equaled Fiji's top try score set by

Sanivalati Laulau Sanivalati Laulau (Nawaka, 1952 – 13 January 2013) was a Fijian rugby union footballer. He played on the wing. He represented Nawaka. Laulau had 32 caps for Fiji, scoring 20 tries, 80 points in aggregate. He is the current record holder for hi ...

back in 1985. * This is the first time Tonga has beaten Fiji since their 32–20 loss in 2011. ---- Notes: * Masakatsu Nishikawa (Japan) made his international debut. * Viktor Kolelishvili (Georgia) earned his 50th test cap. * This is Japan's biggest winning margin over Georgia, surpassing the 25-point difference set in 2006. ---- Notes: *

Shannon Frizell Shannon Michael Frizell (born 11 February 1994) is a Tongan born New Zealand rugby union player. His position of choice is flanker. Early life Frizell was born and raised in Folaha, Tonga and started his childhood playing football for Folaha ...

Jack Goodhue Elias Jack Goodhue (born 13 June 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a Centre for in the Bunnings NPC and the in the Super Rugby competition. Early career Originating from the Northland Region of New Zealand, Goo ...

Jackson Hemopo Jackson Nikora Hemopo (born 14 November 1993) is a New Zealand All Black and rugby union player who currently plays as a lock or loose forward for in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the in the international Super Rugby competition. ...

and

Richie Mo'unga Richard Fou'a Mo'unga (born 25 May 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a first five-eighth for in the Bunnings NPC, the in Super Rugby, and the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. Early life Mo'unga was bo ...

(all New Zealand) and

Félix Lambey Félix Lambey (born 15 March 1994) is a French rugby union lock who currently plays for Lyon and France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas r ...

(France) made their international debuts. *

Maxime Médard Maxime Médard (born 16 November 1986) is a former French rugby union player who plays his club rugby for French club Stade Toulousain in Top 14 and France national rugby union team, France internationally. He can play as both a Rugby union posi ...

(France) earned his 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * Jack McGrath and

Peter O'Mahony Peter O'Mahony (born 17 September 1989) is an Irish rugby union player. He plays for Munster in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup and Ireland internationally. During his career, O'Mahony has captained Presentatio ...

(both Ireland) earned their 50th test cap. * Ireland claim their first series victory over Australia since 1979 and retain the

Lansdowne Cup The Lansdowne Cup is a rugby union trophy competed for by Australia and Ireland. Established in 1999, the cup was donated to the Australian Rugby Union by the Lansdowne Club of Sydney. The cup was launched in advance of the two Test matches playe ...

. ---- Notes: * This was England's first victory over South Africa in South Africa since they won 27–22 in

2000 File:2000 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Protests against Bush v. Gore after the 2000 United States presidential election; Heads of state meet for the Millennium Summit; The International Space Station in its infant form as seen from ...

. ---- Notes: * Vili Toluta’u (United States) made his international debut. ---- Notes: *

Bautista Ezcurra Bautista Ezcurra (born 21 April 1995) is an Argentine rugby union player. He currently plays for Rugby ATL of Major League Rugby (MLR). He was selected for 's sevens squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Ezcurra was named in the training squad ...

and

Juan Cruz Mallia ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of ''John''. It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking communities around the world and in the Philippines, and also (pronounced differently) in the Isle of Man. In Spanish, t ...

(both Argentina) made their international debuts. * Leonardo Senatore (Argentina) earned his 50th test cap. * This was Scotland's largest winning margin over Argentina in Argentina.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mid-Year

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

2018–19 in European rugby union 2019 in Oceanian rugby union 2019 in South American rugby union 2019 in North American rugby union 2019 in South African rugby union