Global Information2014 June rugby union tests information
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 Eastern Province Kings, 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]
- ^ "Sport: Tonga to play Pacific Barbarians, accuse IRB of 'starving' Island teams". Radio New Zealand. 22 April 2014.