International rugby league in 2016
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of international rugby league matches played throughout 2016. A † denotes a recognised, but unofficial match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings.
| International rugby league in 2016 | |
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February
Philippines men vs Serbia in Australia
5 February 2016 19:30 (AEST) |
Philippines  |
18–12 |  Serbia |
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Phillips 1 Goodwin 1 Mason 1 Jones 1 Goals: Stephenson 1/4 |
1st: 12–4 2nd: 6–8 Report |
Stevanović 2 Vujanović 1 Goals: Vojislav Dedić 0/2 Vukanović 0/1 |
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May
Women's ANZAC Test
ANZAC Test
6 May 2016 8.05pm (AEST) |
Notes:
- This was the annual 2016 Anzac Test.
- Australia's win ended a 3-match losing streak against New Zealand.
- This was the first time New Zealand were held scoreless in a test-match since 2007.[5]
- With the victory, Australia reclaim the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.
- Martin Taupau and Sam Moa made their 10th test appearance for New Zealand.
- Blake Ferguson, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan and Fijian-born Semi Radradra made their international debuts for Australia while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kenny Bromwich and Manu Maʻu made their international debuts for New Zealand.
Melanesian Cup
The 2016 Melanesian Cup was played between Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Papua New Guinea created history to win their first Melanesian Cup title.[6] The test looked in a similar situation to last year when Fiji took a comfortable lead into the break but this time around Papua New Guinea scored enough points in the second half to outscore their pacific rivals and win their first major title since the 2009 Pacific Cup. Captain David Mead shone for the Kumuls as he made try-saving tackles, assists and even line breaks in a man-of-the-match performance which was a crucial influence to earning his country's first win on away soil since the year 2000. Fiji picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while PNG featured five players making their first ever International appearance for their country. Both teams had a fair share of NRL, Queensland or New South Wales Cup, as well as domestic club players. Papua New Guinea's most capped player was Rod Griffin who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Fiji's most experienced player was Akuila Uate who made his 12th appearance for his country. Gold Coast's David Mead captained Papua New Guinea, and Port Kembla Blacks' James Storer led Fiji.
7 May 2016 5.45pm (AEST) |
Papua New Guinea  |
24–22 |  Fiji |
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| Tries: W Boas (5'), (52') 2 Ottio (42') 1 McDonald (71') 1 Goals: A Boas 4/5 (6'), (8' pen), (44'), (72') Sin Bin: Olam 1  37' to 47' |
Report |
Tries: Vunakece 1 (16') Qionimacawa 3 (29') (37') (75') Goals: Kennedy 1/1 (17') Moceidreke 2/4 (22' pen), (76') |
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Notes:
- This was the first of the two 2016 Pacific Rugby League Tests.
- The win was Papua New Guinea's first win on foreign soil since the 2000 World Cup.[8]
- With the victory, Papua New Guinea now hold the Melanesian Cup shield.
- Rod Griffin made his 10th test appearance for Papua New Guinea.
- James Storer made his 10th test appearance for Fiji.
- Justin Olam, Stargroth Amean, Watson Boas, Henry Wan and Kurt Baptiste made their international debuts for Papua New Guinea while Etuate Qionimacawa, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Maurice Kennedy, Ben Nakubuwai, Tui Kamikamica, Tevita Cottrell and Jokatama Dokonivalu made their international debuts for Fiji.
Polynesian Cup
The 2016 Polynesian Cup was played between Samoa and Tonga. Samoa defeated Tonga to win their second consecutive Polynesian Cup title.[9] The strong crowd would always show their passion and loud screaming support throughout the game after big hits, strong runs and intense moments were key talking points.[citation needed] However a total of 29 errors and a completion rate of just over 50% from both countries was a headache for everyone to watch.[citation needed] Despite Tonga having 55% possession and more territory, they didn't score and the Samoans made them pay by taking their few second-half opportunities that were given to them resulting in another Samoan victory over their old 'War rivals'. Samoa picked 7 débutantes for the test match, while Tonga featured three. Both teams' players varied from National Rugby League players to Queensland or New South Wales Cup to Holden Cup and to the Super League. Samoa's most capped player was Leeson Ah Mau who made his 10th appearance for his country, while Tonga's most experienced player was Feleti Mateo who made his 13th appearance for his country. English Super League club Hull F.C. gave permission for two players to leave England and play in the Polynesian Cup test; coincidentally they were captain of both nations. Frank Pritchard captained Samoa, and Sika Manu led Tonga.[10]
7 May 2016 7.45pm (AEST) |
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Notes:
- This was the second of the two 2016 Pacific Rugby League Tests.
- With the victory, Samoa retain the Polynesian Cup shield.
- Leeson Ah Mau made his 10th test appearance for Samoa.
- Kirisome Auva'a, Fa'amanu Brown, Erin Clark, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and John Asiata made their international debuts for Samoa while David Fusitu'a, Patrick Kaufusi and Sione Katoa made their international debuts for Tonga.
Lebanon men vs Cook Islands in Australia
June
Chile men vs El Salvador in Australia
Notes
- This was the first ever 13-aside match both teams ever played as they regularly play 9-aside matches against each other and fellow Latin Heat-based nations.
Italy men vs Lebanon
Notes:
- This was the first Mediterranean Cup since 2004.
- Both nations fielded a total of 12 debutants each.
European Championship C
25 June 2016 |
Ukraine  |
46–6 |  Czech Republic |
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| Tries: Skorbach (4'), (77') 2 Shalaiev (9'), (13'), (68'), (72') 4 Khrusiuk (22') 1 Troiyan (40') 1 Shakura (64') 1 Goals: Skorbach 0/3 Shakura 5/6 |
Report |
Tries: Friedl 1 (18') Goals: Šedina 1/1 |
Notes:
- Ukraine win 2016 Rugby League European Championship C
July
Sweden men vs Norway
16 July 2016 |
Årsta, Stockholm |
Notes:
- This was a part of the 2016 Nordic Cup.
- This was the first time ever that the Nordic Cup only featured two countries, after Denmark withdrew from the tournament.
- It was Norway's first Nordic Cup win since 2012.
America's Cup
16 July 2016 |
23 July 2016 |
United States  |
54 – 4 |  Jamaica |
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| Tries: Taylor Alley 3 Mike Timpano 2 Taioalo Vaivai 1 Gabe Farley 1 Barthlemey Longchamp 1 Nick Newlin 1 CJ Cortalano 1 Goals: Mike Timpano 6/9 Taioalo Vaivai 1/1 |
Report |
Tries: Ronaldo Wade 1 |
A. A. Garthwaite Stadium, Conshohocken[15] |
Notes:
- Former NRL player, Taioalo 'Junior' Vaivai, made his International debut for the United States.
Notes:
- Also played as part of the Colonial Cup.
August
European Triangular Series
13 August 2016 |
Netherlands  |
6 – 8 |  Germany |
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| Tries: Werk (8') 1 Goals: Storm 2/2 |
Report |
Tries: Hagenah (13') 1 Ziekursch (22') 1 Goals: Seelweger 0/2 |
Rotterdamse Rugby Club, Rotterdam[16] |
Notes
- With the win, Germany retained the Griffin Cup.
Fiji men vs Canada in the United States
Notes:
- This was a part of the 2016 Ohana Cup.
September
Czech Republic men vs Norway
24 September 2016 4:00pm (UTC+1) |
| Czech Republic |
12 – 6 |  Norway |
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| Tries: Šedina (35') 1 Fanda (52') 1 Hovard (68') 1 Goals: Šedina 0/2 Bžoch 0/1 |
Report |
Tries: Jørgensen (25') 1 Goals: Mwikaria 1/1 |
RLC Dragons Krupka Stadium, Teplice[18] |
Spain men vs Serbia
October
United States men vs Canada
World Cup European qualifiers
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22 October 2016 1:00pm (GMT+2) |
Polideportivo Quatre Carreres, Valencia Attendance: 323 Referee:  Patrice BenaussePlayer of the Match:  Liam Finn |
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Japan men vs Greece
Samoa men vs Fiji
8 October 2016 |
The match was in celebration of the 30th anniversary of rugby league in Samoa.[27] In support of the match, John Grant, the Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby League Commission, provided an Australian registered referee along with senior staff and management to help with the organisation of the match.[28]
Australia men vs New Zealand
Solomon Islands men in Vanuatu
Wales men vs Jamaica in England
France men vs England
Thailand men vs Malta
Notes:
- Cancelled due to Thailand entering a year-long period of mourning upon the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.[34]
South Africa men vs Niue series
Notes:
Four Nations
Sunday, 20 November 2:30pm (BST) |
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November
World Cup European play-off qualifier
4 November 2016 |
Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, England Attendance: 450 Referee:  Chris CampbellPlayer of the Match:  Terry Campese |
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With the win Italy became the 14th, and final, team to qualify for the 2017 World Cup.[38]