2013 end-of-year rugby union internationals explained
The 2013 end of year rugby tests, also known as the 2013 Autumn internationals in the Northern Hemisphere, were a series of international rugby union matches predominantly played between European sides - England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, and visiting Southern Hemisphere countries - Argentina, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa and Tonga.
In 2013, a record 39 test matches took place, with a record 24 matches including a tier 2 or tier 3 side, six of which being a tier 1 v tier 2 fixture, as the IRB builds up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[1]
Australia made their first tour of the Home Nations since 2009. However, they could not achieve a first Grand Slam since 1984 following their 20–13 defeat to England in the opening week of their tour. In addition, Australia played Italy in Turin for the first time.[2] World cup winners New Zealand played France - for the fourth time in 2013, England and Ireland. South Africa played Wales, Scotland and France while Argentina played England, Wales and Italy.
Three invitational teams were in action against international teams during November. The Māori All Blacks visited Canada and the United States, while the French Barbarians faced Samoa. The Barbarians and Fiji contested the Killik Cup, which marked 100 years of rugby in Fiji.
As in other recent seasons, New Zealand and Australia played the third Bledisloe Cup match.
Test matches
Bledisloe Cup – 3rd test
Notes:- Australia's 33 points was the highest ever score by a visiting team against New Zealand.[3]
- Will Genia became just the third Australian scrum-half and the 39th Wallaby to reach 50 caps.[4]
- Peter Betham made his international debut for Australia.
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2–3 November
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8–10 November
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Notes:- Luke McLean earned his 50th cap for Italy.
- Tommaso Allan made his international debut for Italy and scored his first test try.
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Notes:- Santiago Cordero made his debut for Argentina.
- England won the Investec Challenge Cup, the first time the trophy has been contested.
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Notes:- This was Irelands biggest winning margin against Samoa.
- Jack McGrath and David Kearney, who scored two tries, made their debuts for Ireland, and Isaia Tuifua made his debut for Samoa.
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12–17 November
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22–24 November
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Notes:- First ever win for Georgia over Samoa.
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Notes:- Kieran Low made his international debut for Scotland.
- Jim Hamilton earned his 50th test cap for Scotland.
- Australia reclaimed the Hopetoun Cup for the first time since 2006 after losing it in 2009 and having been unable to reclaim it in 2012.
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Notes:- New Zealand were undefeated in 2013, winning 14 from 14 matches, and became the first team in the professional era to win every match in a calendar year.[8]
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30 November
Notes:- Fiji awarded caps for this match.
- The traditionally uncapped player of the Barbarians side was scrum-half TJ Perenara.
- Irish lock Mick O'Driscoll came out of retirement to cover the injured Eben Etzebeth; Etzebeth's original replacement, Flip van der Merwe, was not released for the game by
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Notes:- Quade Cooper earned his 50th test cap for Australia.
- Australia won the James Bevan Trophy for the eighth time and for the sixth time in a row.
- Israel Folau scored his 10th international try of the year in this match, equalling the Australian record.[9]
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17–21 December
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See also
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2068587.html November Tier Two schedule announced
- Web site: Wallabies to make Grand Slam Tour. ESPN scrum.
- Web site: Turnovers still a worry for Wallabies. 20 October 2013. foxsports.com.au. 14 September 2017.
- Web site: Will Genia joining Wallabies half greats. foxsports.com.au. 14 September 2017.
- Web site: Fiji set sin bin record against Italy. The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 November 2013.
- Web site: Wales 17–7 Tong. 22 November 2013. BBC Sport. 25 November 2013.
- Web site: Howley hails 100-Test Gatland. wru.co.uk.
- Web site: Ireland 22 New Zealand 24. 24 November 2013. Daily Telegraph. 25 November 2013.
- Web site: Rees. Paul. Wales fail to end Australia hoodoo despite George North double. The Guardian. 30 November 2013. 2 December 2013.