The 2012 mid-year rugby union tests (also known as the Summer Internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) 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 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 and Samoa. Also, Italy toured the Americas, claiming wins over Canada and the United States and a loss to Argentina.
Overview
Series Tour Result Winners Australia v Wales test series (3 tests) 3–0 New Zealand v Ireland test series (3 tests) 3–0 Argentina v France test series (2 tests) 1–1 Drawn South Africa v England test series (3 tests) 2–0 Japan v French Barbarians test series (2 tests) 0–2 French Barbarians
Other tours Team/Tour Opponents Barbarians end of season tour (lost) – (won) – (lost) Italy tour (lost) – (won) – (won) Scotland tour (won) – (won) – (won) Georgia tour (lost) – (lost)
Fixtures
Week 1
FB 15Ben Foden RW 14Chris AshtonOC 13Brad BarrittIC 12Owen FarrellLW 11Christian WadeFH 10Charlie HodgsonSH 9 Lee Dickson N8 8 Phil Dowson (c) OF 7 Carl Fearns BF 6 Tom Johnson RL 5 Tom PalmerLL 4 Mouritz Botha TP 3 Paul Doran-Jones HK 2 Dylan HartleyLP 1 Matt Stevens Replacements:HK 16Lee Mears PR 17Matt Mullan LK 18Joe Launchbury FL 19Jamie Gibson SH 20Richard Wigglesworth CE 21Jonathan Joseph FB 22Alex Goode Coach: Stuart Lancaster FB 15 Mils MuliainaRW 14 Paul Sackey OC 13 Casey LaulalaIC 12 Mike Tindall LW 11 Iain BalshawFH 10 Stephen DonaldSH 9 Rory Lawson N8 8 Johnnie Beattie OF 7 Akapusi Qera BF 6 Ernst JoubertRL 5 Anton van ZylLL 4 Mark ChisholmTP 3 John AfoaHK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Neemia Tialata Replacements:HK 16 Benoît August PR 17 Duncan Jones LK 18 Pelu Taele N8 19 Raphaël Lakafia SH 20 Jérôme Fillol FH 21 Felipe Contepomi WG 22 Sailosi Tagicakibau Coach: John Kirwan Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland) Simon McDowell (Ireland) As per tradition, the Barbarians' side featured uncapped players: Jérôme Fillol, Ernst Joubert and Anton van Zyl.
Week 2
FB 15Keith EarlsRW 14Craig GilroyOC 13Darren CaveIC 12Paddy WallaceLW 11Simon ZeboFH 10Ronan O'Gara (c)SH 9 Conor MurrayN8 8 Peter O'Mahony OF 7 Chris Henry BF 6 John Muldoon RL 5 Donnacha RyanLL 4 Dan Tuohy TP 3 Declan Fitzpatrick HK 2 Mike SherryLP 1 Brett Wilkinson Replacements:HK 16Rory BestPR 17Ronan Loughney LK 18Donncha O'Callaghan FL 19James Coughlan SH 20Paul MarshallCE 21Nevin SpenceWG 22Andrew Trimble Coach: Declan Kidney FB 15 Cédric Heymans RW 14 Paul SackeyOC 13 Mike Tindall IC 12 Damien TrailleLW 11 Sailosi TagicakibauFH 10 Felipe ContepomiSH 9 Rory Lawson N8 8 Raphaël LakafiaOF 7 Francois LouwBF 6 Mamuka Gorgodze RL 5 Corniel van ZylLL 4 Mick O'Driscoll (c)TP 3 John AfoaHK 2 Benoît August LP 1 Duncan Jones Replacements:HK 16 Aled de Malmanche PR 17 Neemia Tialata LK 18 Pelu TaeleFL 19 Akapusi Qera SH 20 Richie Rees FH 21 Stephen Donald WG 22 Isa NacewaCoach: John Kirwan Contrary to tradition, the Barbarians side did not feature any uncapped players.
FB 15Liam WilliamsRW 14Harry Robinson OC 13Andrew BishopIC 12James HookLW 11Aled BrewFH 10Dan Biggar SH 9 Lloyd Williams N8 8 Ryan Jones OF 7 Justin TipuricBF 6 Josh Turnbull RL 5 Ian EvansLL 4 Alun Wyn Jones TP 3 Rhodri Jones HK 2 Matthew Rees (c) LP 1 Rhys Gill Replacements:HK 16Richard Hibbard PR 17Paul James LK 18Aaron Shingler FL 19Martyn Williams SH 20Rhys Webb CE 21Adam Warren FB 22Will Harries Coach: Rob Howley FB 15 Mils Muliaina RW 14 Isa NacewaOC 13 Mike Tindall IC 12 Casey LaulalaLW 11 Shane WilliamsFH 10 Stephen DonaldSH 9 Richie Rees N8 8 Johnnie BeattieOF 7 Mamuka Gorgodze BF 6 Francois LouwRL 5 Mark ChisholmLL 4 Mick O'Driscoll TP 3 John Smit (c) HK 2 Benoît August LP 1 Duncan JonesReplacements:HK 16 Aled de Malmanche PR 17 Neemia Tialata LK 18 Anton van Zyl N8 19 Akapusi Qera SH 20 Rory Lawson WG 21 Sailosi Tagicakibau FB 22 Cédric Heymans Coach: John Kirwan The Welsh Rugby Union announced that this would be a fully capped match. As a result, Martyn Williams 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
FB 15Luke MorahanRW 14Joe TomaneOC 13Anthony Fainga'aIC 12Mike HarrisLW 11Digby IoaneFH 10Berrick Barnes SH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Scott Higginbotham OF 7 David Pocock (c)BF 6 Dave Dennis RL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Sitaleki Timani TP 3 Dan Palmer HK 2 Stephen MooreLP 1 James SlipperReplacements:HK 16Saia Fainga'aPR 17Ben Alexander LK 18Rob Simmons FL 19Michael Hooper SH 20Nick PhippsCE 21Pat McCabeWG 22Adam Ashley-CooperCoach: Robbie Deans FB 15Stuart HoggRW 14Joe AnsbroOC 13Nick De LucaIC 12Matt ScottLW 11Sean Lamont FH 10Greig LaidlawSH 9 Mike Blair N8 8 John Barclay OF 7 Ross Rennie BF 6 Alasdair Strokosch RL 5 Richie Gray LL 4 Alastair Kellock TP 3 Euan Murray HK 2 Ross Ford (c)LP 1 Ryan GrantReplacements:HK 16Scott LawsonPR 17Jon WelshLK 18Tom RyderN8 19Richie VernonSH 20Chris Cusiter FH 21Duncan WeirFB 22Tom Brown Coach: Andy Robinson Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Keith Brown (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
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.
FB 15Israel DaggRW 14Zac Guildford OC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Sonny Bill WilliamsLW 11Julian Savea FH 10Dan Carter SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Victor Vito RL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Brodie Retallick TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Andrew Hore LP 1 Tony WoodcockReplacements:HK 16Hika Elliot PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Ali Williams FL 19Adam Thomson SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron Cruden WG 22Ben Smith Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Rob KearneyRW 14Fergus McFaddenOC 13Brian O'Driscoll (c)IC 12Keith Earls LW 11Simon ZeboFH 10Johnny Sexton SH 9 Conor Murray N8 8 Jamie Heaslip OF 7 Seán O'Brien BF 6 Peter O'Mahony RL 5 Donnacha Ryan LL 4 Dan Tuohy TP 3 Declan Fitzpatrick HK 2 Rory BestLP 1 Cian Healy Replacements:HK 16Seán Cronin PR 17Ronan Loughney LK 18Donncha O'Callaghan N8 19Kevin McLaughlin SH 20Eoin Reddan FH 21Ronan O'Gara OC 22Darren Cave Coach: Declan Kidney Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Three players made their full international debut for New Zealand: Brodie Retallick, Julian Savea and Aaron Smith. Three players made their full international debut for Ireland: Simon Zebo, Declan Fitzpatrick and Ronan Loughney.
FB 15Adam Ashley-CooperRW 14Cooper Vuna OC 13Rob Horne IC 12Pat McCabeLW 11Digby IoaneFH 10Berrick Barnes SH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Wycliff Palu OF 7 David Pocock (c)BF 6 Scott HigginbothamRL 5 Nathan Sharpe LL 4 Rob SimmonsTP 3 Sekope KepuHK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau LP 1 Benn Robinson Replacements:HK 16Stephen Moore PR 17Ben Alexander FL 18Dave Dennis FL 19Michael Hooper SH 20Nic WhiteOC 21Anthony Fainga'a IC 22Mike HarrisCoach: Robbie Deans FB 15Leigh HalfpennyRW 14Alex CuthbertOC 13Jonathan DaviesIC 12Scott Williams LW 11George North FH 10Rhys PriestlandSH 9 Mike PhillipsN8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Sam Warburton (c)BF 6 Dan Lydiate RL 5 Luke Charteris LL 4 Bradley Davies TP 3 Adam Jones HK 2 Ken Owens LP 1 Gethin JenkinsReplacements:HK 16Matthew Rees PR 17Paul James LK 18Alun Wyn Jones N8 19Ryan Jones SH 20Lloyd WilliamsFH 21James Hook OC 22Ashley Beck Coach: Rob Howley Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand) Garratt Williamson (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Cooper Vuna (Australia) and Ashley Beck (Wales) made their full international debuts.
FB 15Zane Kirchner RW 14JP PietersenOC 13Jean de Villiers (c)IC 12Frans SteynLW 11Bryan Habana FH 10Morné Steyn SH 9 Francois Hougaard N8 8 Pierre Spies OF 7 Willem AlbertsBF 6 Marcell Coetzee RL 5 Juandré KrugerLL 4 Eben Etzebeth TP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Adriaan Strauss PR 17Coenie Oosthuizen LK 18Flip van der Merwe FL 19Keegan Daniel SH 20Ruan Pienaar FB 21Patrick Lambie WG 22Wynand Olivier Coach: Heyneke Meyer FB 15Mike Brown RW 14Chris AshtonOC 13Manu TuilagiIC 12Brad Barritt LW 11Ben FodenFH 10Owen FarrellSH 9 Ben Youngs N8 8 Ben Morgan OF 7 Chris Robshaw (c)BF 6 Tom Johnson RL 5 Geoff Parling LL 4 Mouritz Botha TP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Dylan Hartley LP 1 Joe Marler Replacements:HK 16Lee Mears PR 17Paul Doran-Jones LK 18Tom Palmer N8 19Phil DowsonSH 20Lee Dickson FH 21Toby Flood FB 22Jonathan Joseph Coach: Stuart Lancaster Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
Four players made their full international debut for South Africa: Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Juandré Kruger and Coenie Oosthuizen. Three players made their full international debut for England: Tom Johnson, Joe Marler and Jonathan Joseph
FB 15Joaquín TuculetRW 14Belisario Agulla OC 13Gabriel AscárateIC 12Felipe Contepomi (c)LW 11Agustín GosioFH 10Ignacio MieresSH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Leonardo SenatoreOF 7 Tomás Leonardi BF 6 Genaro Fessia RL 5 Julio Farías Cabello LL 4 Esteban LozadaTP 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela HK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Rodrigo RonceroReplacements:HK 16Bruno Postiglioni PR 17Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro FL 18Tomás de la Vega LK 19Santiago Guzmán SH 20Tomás Cubelli WG 21Manuel Montero FB 22Román MirallesCoach: Santiago Phelan FB 15Luke McLeanRW 14Giovanbattista VendittiOC 13Roberto QuartaroliIC 12Alberto SgarbiLW 11Tommaso BenvenutiFH 10Kris Burton SH 9 Edoardo GoriN8 8 Robert Barbieri OF 7 Mauro BergamascoBF 6 Alessandro ZanniRL 5 Marco Bortolami (c) LL 4 Antonio PavanelloTP 3 Martin CastrogiovanniHK 2 Carlo FestucciaLP 1 Alberto de MarchiReplacements:HK 16Davide GiazzonPR 17Lorenzo RomanoLK 18Joshua Furno FL 19Simone Favaro SH 20Tito TebaldiFH 21Riccardo Bocchino WG 22Giulio ToniolattiCoach: Jacques Brunel Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) 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.