2014 June rugby union tests explained
The 2014 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the summer internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) were international rugby union matches mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June international window.
These matches were part of the International Rugby Board (IRB) global rugby calendar (2012–19) that includes test matches between touring Northern Hemisphere nations and home Southern Hemisphere nations, whilst some of the touring teams played mid-week matches against provincial or regional sides. In addition to this, the calendar gave Tier 2 nations the opportunity to host Tier 1 nations outside the November international window leading up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
All Six Nations teams were in action, with England playing a three-test series against New Zealand, whilst playing a mid-week match against the Crusaders. France played Australia in a three-test series, whilst Italy played Fiji, Samoa and Japan. Wales played South Africa in a two-test series, with an additional mid-week match against the, and Ireland played Argentina in a two-test series. Scotland, the only nation that played four tests, visited the Americas, playing the United States, Canada and Argentina, before playing South Africa outside the IRB international window. Unlike previous June windows, 2014 saw Tier 3 fixtures with Uruguay hosting Canadian side BC Bears, to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the British Columbia Rugby Union. It also acted as a preparation match for Uruguay, ahead of their 2015 Rugby World Cup repechage play-offs in August against Hong Kong.
Tonga played a test match against a Pacific Barbarians side in Auckland to fill a shortfall in their international calendar leading into the World Cup.[1]
Overview
Series
Other tours
| Team/Tour | Opponents |
|---|
| Italy tour | (lost) – – (lost) (lost) |
| Scotland tour | (won) – (won) – (lost) – (won) | |
Fixtures
30 May–1 June
Notes:- Twelve players made their international debuts for Samoa, eight in the starting XV; Vavao Afemai, Oneone Fa'afou, Patrick Fa'apale, Jake Grey, Reupena Levasa, Faalemiga Selesele, Aniseko Sio and Tulolo Tulolo, and four off the bench; Sam Aiono, Lio Lolo, Vaiofoga Simanu and Kaino Thomsen.
- Japan's Hitoshi Ono surpassed Hirotoki Onozawa's 81 caps to become Japan's most capped player with 82 caps.
- This was Japan's seventh consecutive win, the longest winning streak they have ever had.
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Notes:- Jon Callard coached England, with Lancaster in New Zealand with the touring 30-man squad.[2]
- This was the Barbarians' first back-to-back win since beating England and Wales in 2011, which was also the last time the Barbarians beat England.
7 June
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Notes:- Malakai Fekitoa and TJ Perenara made their international debuts for New Zealand.
- Chris Pennell and Joe Gray made their international debuts for England.
- With this win, New Zealand win 31 consecutive home matches, a world record by a test team.
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Notes:- Ramiro Herrera made his international debut for Argentina.
- Rodney Ah You, Robbie Diack and Kieran Marmion made their international debuts for Ireland.
- Paul O'Connell played his 100th test match; 93 for Ireland and 7 for the British and Irish Lions.
- This was Ireland's first victory over Argentina, when playing on Argentine soil, in a fully test capped match.
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14 June
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Notes:- James Horwill earned his 50th test cap for Australia.
- Nathan Charles, Luke Jones and Laurie Weeks made their international debuts for Australia.
- Alexandre Menini made his international debut for France.
- Australia reclaim the Trophée des Bicentenaires for the first time since 2010, after losing it in 2012.
- This was the first time France has failed to score any points against Australia, in the 44 meetings between the two teams.
- Fewest points in an Australian win since their 6–3 win over New Zealand in 1958, and first Australian win without a try since their 21–13 win over Wales in 2001.
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17–22 June
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Notes:- Mauro Bergamasco becomes the sixth Italian player to earn 100 test caps.
- This win was Japan's tenth consecutive win, a record for a Tier 2 nation.
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Notes:- Will Skelton made his international debut for Australia.
- The 43,188-person crowd was a record crowd for an Australian test at Allianz Stadium.
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28 June
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See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Sport: Tonga to play Pacific Barbarians, accuse IRB of 'starving' Island teams. 22 April 2014. Radio New Zealand.
- Web site: Leicester's Graham Kitchener to captain England against Barbarians. SkySports.
