The schedule for 10th/11th June 2016 would have stood out for many people across the ‘Rugby World’. It had many of the first-up, full International rugby matches of the season. That will have alerted fans to get out their supporters gear (see picture) in readiness for ‘footy season’.

It also included the Under-20Championship tournament and friendly (and not-so friendly) games that stretched across six continents. International rugby is strong, and proof that this game now has a sustainable, global reach that is a positive result of the state of the game–and also providing a logistical nightmare for teams traveling around the globe.

Weekend of International Rugby Across Six Continents

The matches began with the Pacific Nations Cup game in Suva, Fiji.

Fiji 23 (Ben Volavola, Nemia Soqeta, Veroniki Goneva tries; Seremaia Bai conversion, 2 penalties), Tonga 18 (Viliame Iongi, Sonatane Takalua tries; conversion, 2 penalties). HT: 0-15.

Across the waves in Samoa, the new European darlings Georgia have embraced the Pacific rim and will visit all three major rugby nations over the next few weeks.

Samoa 19 (David Lemi try; Patrick Fa’apale conversion, 4 penalties), Georgia 19 (Giorgi Tkhilaishvili try; Lasha Khmaladze conversion, 4 penalties). HT: 6-9. DRAWN MATCH

One of the major games of the International window, the Steinlager Series draws the All Blacks against Wales, at Eden Park, Auckland

New Zealand 39 (Waisake Naholo 2, Julian Savea, Kieran Read, Nathan Harris tries; Aaron Cruden 4 conversions, 2 penalties), Wales 21 (Toby Faletau, Rhys Webb tries; Dan Biggar conversion, 3 penalties). HT: 15-18.

Over the Tasman, the invited English had brought an army of fans with them, looking for warmer weather and a chance to win in the antipodean city of Brisbane, Queensland.

Australia 28 (Michael Hooper 2, Tevita Kuridrani, Israel Folau tries; Bernard Foley conversion, 2 penalties) England 39 (Jonathan Joseph, Marland Yarde, Jack Nowell tries; Owen Farrell 3 conversions, 6 penalties). HT: 19-13.

In one of the most celebrated results, was the Ireland team traveling to Cape Town, South Africa.

South Africa 20 (Lwazi Mvovo, Pieter-Steph du Toit tries; Elton Jantjies 2 conversions, penalty, Pat Lambie penalty) Ireland 26 (Jared Payne, Conor Murray tries; Paddy Jackson 2 conversions, 3 penalties, dropped goal). HT: 13-13.

The fourth member of SANZAAR nations hosted the Six Nations member Italy, in a closely matched series played in Santa Fe, Argentina, South America.

Argentina 30 (Manuel Montero, Matias Moroni tries; Nicolas Sanchez conversion, 6 penalties), Italy 24 (Leonardo Sarto, Simone Favaro tries; Carlo Canna conversion, 4 penalties). HT: 17-16.

Up in North America, the Canadian team hosted Japan in an important clash that being a freindly game, would not assist in their World Rugby rankings ambitions.

Canada 22 (Taylor Paris, Ray Barkwill, Jamie Cudmore, Aaron Carpenter tries; Gordon McRorie conversion), Japan 26 (Takeshi Kizu, Kotaro Matsushima tries; Yu Tamura 2 conversions; Yu Tamura 4 penalties)

WORLD RUGBY UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

Six Matches were played on the fifth continent this weekend, with the second round matches of the Under-20 Championship tournament in Manchester, England.

Results:

POOL A – New Zealand 24 Ireland 33 | Wales 10 Georgia 9

POOL B – Australia 38 Italy 10 | England 44 Scotland 0

POOL C – France 46 Japan 14 | South Africa 13 Argentina 19

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The first full weekend of International Rugby could not come early enough for rugby fans, and in many results, they ‘got their moneys worth’. A terrific few days of rugby across six continents that celebrates the strength of the game–and it continues next week

“Main photo credit”