The 2016 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 were mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June international window. The matches were 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 included

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 the touring Northern Hemisphere nations and the home Southern Hemisphere nations, whilst some of the touring teams played mid-week matches against provincial or regional sides. In addition to this, the global calendar gave Tier 2 nations the opportunity to host Tier 1 nations outside the November international window, intended to increase competitiveness from the Tier 2 sides. All Six Nations teams were in action. The grand slam winners

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 ...

played a three-test series against Rugby Championship champions

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 ...

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

hosted a three-test series against

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, while

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

toured

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

, where they played the a three-test series against the world champions, and played a mid-week match against the Chiefs. Wales also played a single match against England for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup before travelling to New Zealand.

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 ...

hosted

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

, before they played a two-test series against

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, whilst Italy played

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 territorie ...

. 2019 World Cup hosts

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

hosted

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

for a two-test series, whilst they also played away to Canada in a first ever rugby union Test match at

BC Place BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Located at the north side of False Creek, it is owned and operated by the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), a crown corporation of the province. The venue is currently ...

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...

toured North America for the first time sonce 2010, playing tests against both Canada and the United States.

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

traveled to the Pacific Islands, where

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 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 Island, Manono an ...

each hosted the Lelos for the first time; Georgia also faced

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

at a neutral venue in Fiji.

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

hosted

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

, the first time Brazil had hosted an African nation.

Overview

Series

Other tours

Fixtures

Notes: * In this uncapped match,

trialed the new 6-point try, 2-point penalty law, while a penalty try is an automatic 8 points. Notes: * In this uncapped match,

trialed the new 6-point try, 2-point penalty law, while a penalty try is an automatic 8 points. Notes: *

Ollie Devoto Oliver Jonathan Devoto (born 22 September 1993) is an English rugby union player, who plays for Exeter Chiefs as a utility back primarily as a centre and fly-half. Early life Devoto was born in Yeovil, Somerset and grew up in Sherborne in Dors ...

Ellis Genge Ellis Genge (born 16 February 1995) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Premiership Rugby club Bristol Bears. He made his international debut for in 2016. Genge played 26 times for Bristol in a first spell bet ...

, Teimana Harrison and

Tommy Taylor Thomas Taylor (29 January 1932 – 6 February 1958) was an English footballer, who was known for his aerial ability. He was one of the eight Manchester United players who died in the Munich air disaster. Career Taylor was born in Smithies, ...

(all England) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * This was the first time that Samoa has hosted Georgia in a home test match. * Talaga Alofipo, Malu Falaniko, Seilala Lam, Nu'uuli Lene, Jeff Lepa, D'angelo Leuila, Albert Nikoro,

Dwayne Polataivao Dwayne E. Polataivao (born 30 July 1990) is a Samoans, Samoan rugby union player. A Scrum-half (rugby union), scrum-half, he played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby in 2022. He has also represented internationally. Career Dwayne was educated ...

and Danny Tusitala (all Samoa) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: *

Alun Wyn Jones Alun Wyn Jones (born 19 September 1985) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for the Ospreys and the Wales national team. He is the world's most-capped rugby union player. Jones also holds the records for the most ...

became the fifth Welsh player to earn his 100th cap. *

Ardie Savea Ardie Suemalo Savea (born 14 October 1993) is a rugby union player who plays as a flanker or number 8 for in the ITM Cup, the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and international rugby for the New Zealand All Blacks. Savea was a member of New Zealan ...

and Seta Tamanivalu (both New Zealand) and

Ellis Jenkins Ellis Jenkins (born 29 April 1993) is a Welsh rugby union flanker who currently plays for the Cardiff Rugby and for the Wales national team. Career Cardiff Rugby Jenkins made his debut for Cardiff in 2011 having previously played for their a ...

(Wales) made their international debuts. * There was no replacement issued for

George North George Philip North (born 13 April 1992) is a Welsh professional rugby union player who plays for the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship and the Wales national team. He has also represented the British & Irish Lions and currently has th ...

when he was taken off injured at the end of the game, Wales played with 14 players. ---- Notes: *

Rory Arnold Rory Arnold (born 1 July 1990) is an Australian professional rugby union player. He played for the Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 competition, and has represented in test matches. His regular position is lock. Family and early life Rory Arno ...

Nick Frisby Nick Frisby (born 29 October 1992 in Brisbane, Australia) is an Australian international rugby union player who plays with the Western Force in Super Rugby AU. His regular playing position is scrum-half. Rugby Union career Amateur career Fris ...

, Samu Kerevi and

Dane Haylett-Petty Dane Haylett-Petty (born 18 June 1989) is a retired Australian rugby union footballer who played as a fullback or wing for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby and the Wallabies. Early life Haylett-Petty was born in Durban in the former Provin ...

(all Australia) made their international debuts. * Mike Brown (England) earned his 50th test cap. * England win back-to-back tests in Australia for the first time since 2003, while winning in Brisbane for the first time ever. * The 39 points scored by England, are the most points scored by England against Australia. ---- Notes: * Faf de Klerk (South Africa) made his international debut. * This was Ireland's first ever victory over South Africa in South Africa. ---- Notes: *

Tommaso Boni Tommaso Boni (born 15 January 1993) is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a centre and he currently plays for Zebre. In 2012 and 2013 Boni was named in the Italy Under 20 squad and in 2014 he was part of Emerging Italy sq ...

and Sami Panico (both Italy) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: *

Matt Heaton Matt Heaton (born 9 February 1993) is a Canadian rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby (MLR). He also represents Canada playing for the Canadian national rugby union team internationally. He was include ...

(Canada) and Yoshiya Hosoda,

Rikiya Matsuda is a Japanese professional rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Japan Rugby League One club Saitama Wild Knights and the Japan national team. Club career Matsuda is currently a student at Teikyo University in Tokyo and has appea ...

, Mifiposeti Paea, Yasutaka Sasakura and Kaito Shigeno (all Japan) made their international debuts. Notes: *

was named to start, but was withdrawn from the team after failing to recover from injury and was replaced with Sam Warburton. * Bench players

Gareth Anscombe Gareth Anscombe is a rugby union player who plays for the Wales national rugby union team. He primarily plays at fly-half but can also play as a fullback. Anscombe, who currently plays for the Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship, is the s ...

and

Ross Moriarty Ross Moriarty (born 18 April 1994) is an international rugby union player, who currently plays for Dragons RFC and Wales as a flanker. Personal life Moriarty was born in St Helens, Merseyside while his father, former Wales international Paul ...

were pulled out of the team moments before kick-off due to injury and replaced with Taulupe Faletau and Jamie Roberts. ---- ---- ---- Notes: * Wayne Ngaluafe (Tonga) made his international debut. ---- Notes: *

Israel Dagg Israel Jamahl Akuhata Dagg (born 6 June 1988) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby. He has also played for the New Zealand Sevens team, and represents Hawkes Bay in the ITM Cup. Dagg played in ...

and Ben Smith (New Zealand) earned their 50th test caps. ---- Notes: *

Chris Robshaw Chris Robshaw (born 4 June 1986) is an English former rugby union player. He was the captain of the England national rugby union team from January 2012 until December 2015. Robshaw's position of choice was in the back row of the scrum, usually ...

(England) earned his 50th test cap. * England retain the

Cook Cup The Ella-Mobbs Trophy (formerly the Cook Cup from 1997–2021) is a rugby union trophy contested between Australia national rugby union team, Australia and England national rugby union team, England. The Cook Cup was established in 1997 when the ...

for the third consecutive time. * England win their first ever test-series against Australia. * England win their third consecutive match against Australia in Australia, the first time they have done this. ---- ---- Notes: *

Ruan Combrinck Ruan Jacobus Combrinck (born 10 May 1990) is a South African rugby union player. He plays mostly as a wing. He plays for in the Top14 in France. He previously played for the in Super Rugby, the and domestically and Kintetsu Liners in the Ja ...

and

Franco Mostert Franco John Mostert (born 27 November 1990) is a South African professional rugby union player for Honda Heat and the South Africa national team. His usual position is lock. He was one of the members of the winning Springboks in the 2019 Rugby ...

(both South Africa) and Tiernan O'Halloran,

Sean Reidy Sean Reidy (born 10 May 1989) is a New Zealand-born Irish rugby union player who played flanker for Ulster Rugby from 2014 to 2022, and has two caps for Ireland. Born in Auckland, New Zealand,Brendan Crossan"Century man Sean Reidy ready for Dr ...

and

Quinn Roux Quinn Roux (born 30 October 1990) is a rugby union player who plays for Bath in the Premiership Rugby and formerly the Ireland national team. Born in South Africa, he qualified for Ireland through residency, made his international debut in 20 ...

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

Matt Tierney Matthew or Matt Tierney may refer to: * Matthew Tierney (poet), Canadian poet * Sir Matthew John Tierney, Irish surgeon * Matthew Tierney (Gaelic footballer) * Matt Tierney (rugby union), Canadian rugby union player * Matt Tierney (sound desi ...

(Canada) and Konstantin Uzunov (Russia) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Nate Augspurger,

Tony Lamborn Tony Lamborn (born 31 July 1991) is a New Zealand-born American rugby union player who plays as a flanker. He currently plays his club rugby for Southland in the Mitre 10 Cup, and the Blues in the Super Rugby competition. He also played for th ...

and

Angus MacLellan Hugh Angus MacLellan II (born August 24, 1992) is an American rugby union player whose usual playing position is prop. He plays for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR) and has played for the United States national rugby union team. You ...

(all United States) and

Tommaso Castello Tommaso Castello (born 14 August 1991) is a retired Italian rugby union player. His usual position was as a Centre, and he represented Italy on 18 occasions. For 2015–16 Pro12 season, he named like ''Additional Player'' for Zebre. From 2016� ...

, Maxime Mbanda and Sebastian Negri (all Italy) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Rémi Bonfils, William Demotte,

Kevin Gourdon Kevin Gourdon (born 23 January 1990) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a flanker for French Top 14 side La Rochelle and the France national team. International career Gourdon made his debut for France in June 2016 and was par ...

Julien Le Devedec Julien Le Devedec (born 6 June 1986 in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, France) is a French rugby union footballer, currently playing for Provence Rugby in the Pro D2. His usual position is at Lock or Number 8. Prior to joining CA Brive he played for Stad ...

, Clément Maynadier, Fabrice Metz, Xavier Mignot,

Lucas Pointud Lucas Pointud (born 18 January 1988) is a French professional rugby union player. He currently plays at prop for Brive in the Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, th ...

, Julien Rey and Baptiste Serin (all France) made their international debuts. Notes: * Mesake Doge and Savenaca Rawaca (both Fiji) made their international debuts. * This was Georgia's first ever win over Fiji. * With this win, Georgia has beaten all 12 tier 2 nations. ---- Notes: *

Elliot Dixon Elliot Christopher Dixon (born 4 September 1989) is a professional rugby union player. He represents the Highlanders (rugby), Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition and Southland Rugby Football Union, Southland in the ITM Cup, playing at Rug ...

, Liam Squire and Ofa Tu'ungafasi (all New Zealand) made their international debuts. *

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 ...

and Aaron Smith (both New Zealand) earned their 50th test caps. ---- Notes: *

Adam Coleman Adam Coleman (born 7 October 1991) is an Australian rugby union player living in England who plays lock for London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership. Career Coleman attended New Town High School in Hobart Tasmania. He represented Tasmania in u ...

(Australia) made his international debut. * England score their most points against Australia in Australia, surpassing the 39 points scored in the first test of this test series. * Australia lose 3–0 for the first time since they lost their three-test series to

1971 * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses ( February 25, July 22 and August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 10, and August 6). The world population increased by 2.1% this year, the highest increase in history. Events Ja ...

. ---- Notes: * Huw Jones (Scotland) made his international debut. * The 34,073 crowd was a record home crowd for a Japanese rugby international. ---- Notes: *

Steven Kitshoff Steven Kitshoff (born 10 February 1992) is a South African rugby union rugby player. His playing position is loosehead prop. He represents the South Africa national team and the in the United Rugby Championship and previously Super Rugby, and ...

Jaco Kriel Jacobus Albertus Kriel (born 21 August 1989 in Standerton, South Africa) is a rugby union player for . He plays as a flanker. Kriel has also represented the University of Johannesburg in the Varsity Cup. He was the headboy of Hoërskool Stan ...

and

Bongi Mbonambi Mbongeni Theo 'Bongi' Mbonambi (born 7 January 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player, He currently plays as a hooker for the United Rugby Championship, URC team and also the South Africa national rugby union team, South Afri ...

(all South Africa) and

Matt Healy David James "Matt" Healy (born 16 July 1970) is an English actor born in Scotland. He is best known for his roles as Matthew King in ''Emmerdale'' from 2004 to 2008 and in ''The Bill'' as Alan Morton. Background When he was three years old ...

(Ireland) made their international debuts. *

Conor Murray Conor Murray (born 20 April 1989) is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Munster in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup. Internationally, Murray has represented Ireland and the British & Irish Lions, whom he ...

(Ireland) earned his 50th test cap. * This was

Eoin Reddan Eoin Reddan (born Limerick, Ireland, 20 November 1980) is an Irish rugby union player who plays at scrum half. He initially attended the Jesuit boarding school, Clongowes Wood, before moving school to Crescent College Comprehensive where he ...

's last international after announcing his retirement from the professional game. ---- Notes: * Kélian Galletier (France) made his international debut. *

Lucas González Amorosino Lucas González Amorosino (born 2 November 1985) is an Argentine rugby union player who plays fullback or wing. He was part of the Argentina sevens team before joining Leicester in 2009 following his full international début against that su ...

(Argentina) earned his 50th test cap. * Xavier Mignot was named to start, but was replaced with Hugo Bonneval before kick-off due to injury. * This is the first time Argentina has failed to score any points in a test match since they lost 16–0 against

in 2007. It is the first time they have failed to score any points against France since their first ever meeting in 1949. ---- Notes: *

Langilangi Haupeakui Langilangi Haupeakui (born 3 July 1989) is a United States international rugby union player who currently plays for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular playing position is either No. 8 or Flanker. He previously played for the ...

, Harry Higgins and Stephen Tomasin (all United States) and Kirill Golosnitskiy (Russia) made their international debuts. *

Todd Clever Todd Stanger Clever (born January 16, 1983) is an American retired rugby union player. He became the first American to play Super Rugby. At the international level, he was a member of the United States national team, served as captain, and is t ...

earned his 58th test cap to become the Eagles most capped player, surpassing

Mike MacDonald Michael MacDonald (born June 26, 1987) is an American football coach who is the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens from 2022 to 2 ...

. ---- Notes: *

Ciaran Hearn Ciaran Hearn (born December 30, 1985) is a Canadian rugby union player who currently plays for Old Glory DC of Major League Rugby (MLR). Hearn was part of the Canadian squad at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand where he featured in two ma ...

(Canada) and Lorenzo Cittadini (Italy) earned their 50th test caps.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mid-Year

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

2015–16 in European rugby union 2015–16 in Japanese rugby union 2016 in Oceanian rugby union 2016 in South American rugby union 2016 in North American rugby union 2016 in African rugby union

Overview

Series

Other tours

Fixtures

See also

References