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. H ...

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, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Mike Harris, Joe Tomane 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 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 and Aaron Smith. * Three players made their full international debut for Ireland: Simon Zebo,

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, 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 The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing ...

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 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 Chauncey O'Toole (born 22 February 1986 in Saint John, New Brunswick) is a Canadian former rugby union player. O'Toole played any position across the back-row but his preferred position was at openside flanker. O'Toole made his debut for the Ca ...

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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