# 2016 England rugby union tour of Australia

In June 2016, England played a three-test series against Australia as part of the 2016 mid-year rugby union tests. They played the Wallabies across the three weeks of the June International window, 11 June–25 June, and contested the Cook Cup, which England had previously won eight times to Australia's twelve. The series was part of the fourth year of the global rugby calendar established by the International Rugby Board, which runs through to 2019.
England won all three matches, the first time they had won a test series in Australia. After defeating the hosts in the second match, England retained the Cook Cup and achieved second place in the World Rugby Rankings, while Australia dropped to fourth. Australia had not been "whitewashed" in a home series since losing all three tests to South Africa in 1971.
After the third test, two days after the United Kingdom had voted to leave the European Union, The Courier-Mail joked that a second continent now hated England as a result of the tour.

## Fixtures

| Date | Venue | Home | Score | Away |
| 11 June 2016 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | Australia | 28–39 | England |
| 18 June 2016 | AAMI Park, Melbourne | Australia | 7–23 | England |
| 25 June 2016 | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | Australia | 40–44 | England |

## Squads

Note: Ages, caps and clubs are as per 11 June, the first test match of the tour.

### England

On 22 May, Eddie Jones named a 32-man squad for England's tour of Australia. An additional 5 players (Dave Attwood, Luther Burrell, Ollie Devoto, Matt Kvesic, Tommy Taylor) were also named ahead of the test match against Wales on 29 May, the day after the Aviva Premiership final between Saracens and Exeter Chiefs. Ben Te'o, whose mother is English, was named in the squad, despite playing for Irish province Leinster, since he will be moving to Worcester Warriors for the 2016/17 season, making him eligible for selection.
On 30 May, Luther Burrell replaced Manu Tuilagi in the touring squad after Tuilagi withdrew from the squad due to injury.
Coaching team:
* Head coach: Eddie Jones
* Defence coach: Paul Gustard
* Attack/Skills coach: Glen Ella
* Forwards coach: Steve Borthwick
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Luke Cowan-Dickie | Hooker | (1993-06-20)20 June 1993 (aged 22) | 3 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Jamie George | Hooker | (1990-06-20)20 June 1990 (aged 25) | 6 | Saracens |
| Dylan Hartley (c) | Hooker | (1986-03-24)24 March 1986 (aged 30) | 72 | Northampton Saints |
| Dan Cole | Prop | (1987-05-09)9 May 1987 (aged 29) | 62 | Leicester Tigers |
| Ellis Genge | Prop | (1995-02-16)16 February 1995 (aged 21) | 1 | Leicester Tigers |
| Paul Hill | Prop | (1995-03-02)2 March 1995 (aged 21) | 2 | Northampton Saints |
| Matt Mullan | Prop | (1987-02-23)23 February 1987 (aged 29) | 10 | Wasps |
| Kyle Sinckler | Prop | (1993-03-10)10 March 1993 (aged 23) | 0 | Harlequins |
| Mako Vunipola | Prop | (1991-01-13)13 January 1991 (aged 25) | 32 | Saracens |
| Maro Itoje | Lock | (1994-10-28)28 October 1994 (aged 21) | 4 | Saracens |
| George Kruis | Lock | (1990-02-22)22 February 1990 (aged 26) | 15 | Saracens |
| Joe Launchbury | Lock | (1991-04-12)12 April 1991 (aged 25) | 32 | Wasps |
| Courtney Lawes | Lock | (1989-02-23)23 February 1989 (aged 27) | 46 | Northampton Saints |
| Jack Clifford (rugby) | Flanker | (1993-02-22)22 February 1993 (aged 23) | 6 | Harlequins |
| Teimana Harrison | Flanker | (1992-09-05)5 September 1992 (aged 23) | 1 | Northampton Saints |
| James Haskell | Flanker | (1985-04-02)2 April 1985 (aged 31) | 68 | Wasps |
| Chris Robshaw | Flanker | (1986-06-04)4 June 1986 (aged 30) | 48 | Harlequins |
| Billy Vunipola | Number 8 | (1992-11-03)3 November 1992 (aged 23) | 26 | Saracens |
| Danny Care | Scrum-half | (1987-01-02)2 January 1987 (aged 29) | 59 | Harlequins |
| Ben Youngs | Scrum-half | (1989-09-05)5 September 1989 (aged 26) | 58 | Leicester Tigers |
| Owen Farrell | Fly-half | (1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 24) | 40 | Saracens |
| George Ford | Fly-half | (1993-03-16)16 March 1993 (aged 23) | 23 | Bath |
| Luther Burrell | Centre | (1987-12-06)6 December 1987 (aged 28) | 14 | Northampton Saints |
| Elliot Daly | Centre | (1992-10-08)8 October 1992 (aged 23) | 3 | Wasps |
| Jonathan Joseph | Centre | (1991-05-21)21 May 1991 (aged 25) | 22 | Bath |
| Henry Slade | Centre | (1993-03-19)19 March 1993 (aged 23) | 2 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Ben Te'o | Centre | (1987-01-27)27 January 1987 (aged 29) | 0 | Worcester Warriors |
| Jack Nowell | Wing | (1993-04-11)11 April 1993 (aged 23) | 15 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Anthony Watson | Wing | (1994-02-26)26 February 1994 (aged 22) | 21 | Bath |
| Marland Yarde | Wing | (1992-04-20)20 April 1992 (aged 24) | 8 | Harlequins |
| Mike Brown | Fullback | (1985-09-04)4 September 1985 (aged 30) | 49 | Harlequins |
| Alex Goode | Fullback | (1988-05-07)7 May 1988 (aged 28) | 20 | Saracens |

### Australia

On 26 May 2016, Michael Cheika named a 39-man extended squad for their June test series against England.
On 30 May 2016, Reece Hodge was called up to the squad to replace the injured Mike Harris.
On 3 June 2016, Michael Cheika named a final 33-man squad for the test series, with Adam Coleman, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Leroy Houston, Eto Nabuli and Joe Powell missing out on the final cut.
On 12 June, Matt To'omua joined the squad as un-listed member of the squad after recovering from his knee surgery. Liam Gill (rugby)|Liam Gill also joined the squad after David Pocock was ruled out of the rest of the series.
On 20 June, Ben McCalman was ruled out of the last test of the series due to injury and was replaced by Leroy Houston in the squad.
On 23 June, Adam Coleman was named in an extended match-day 23 for the final test, despite not being in the initial 33-man squad.
Coaching team:
* Head coach: Michael Cheika
* Defence coach: Nathan Grey
* Forwards coach: Mario Ledesma
* Backs/Attack coach: Stephen Larkham
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
| Stephen Moore | Hooker | (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 33) | 102 | Brumbies |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | Hooker | (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 30) | 61 | Waratahs |
| Allan Alaalatoa | Prop | (1994-01-28)28 January 1994 (aged 22) | 0 | Brumbies |
| Greg Holmes | Prop | (1983-06-11)11 June 1983 (aged 33) | 24 | Queensland Reds |
| Sekope Kepu | Prop | (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 30) | 63 | Bordeaux Bègles |
| Scott Sio | Prop | (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 24) | 16 | Brumbies |
| James Slipper | Prop | (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 27) | 74 | Queensland Reds |
| Toby Smith | Prop | (1988-10-10)10 October 1988 (aged 27) | 3 | Melbourne Rebels |
| Rory Arnold | Lock | (1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 25) | 0 | Brumbies |
| Sam Carter | Lock | (1989-09-10)10 September 1989 (aged 26) | 12 | Brumbies |
| Adam Coleman | Lock | (1991-10-07)7 October 1991 (aged 24) | 0 | Western Force |
| James Horwill | Lock | (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 31) | 61 | Harlequins |
| Dean Mumm | Lock | (1984-03-05)5 March 1984 (aged 32) | 44 | Waratahs |
| Rob Simmons | Lock | (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 27) | 60 | Queensland Reds |
| Will Skelton | Lock | (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 24) | 14 | Waratahs |
| Scott Fardy | Flanker | (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 31) | 30 | Brumbies |
| Liam Gill | Flanker | (1992-06-08)8 June 1992 (aged 24) | 15 | Queensland Reds |
| Michael Hooper | Flanker | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 24) | 51 | Waratahs |
| Sean McMahon | Flanker | (1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 21) | 6 | Melbourne Rebels |
| David Pocock | Flanker | (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 28) | 55 | Brumbies |
| Leroy Houston | Number 8 | (1986-11-10)10 November 1986 (aged 29) | 0 | Queensland Reds |
| Ben McCalman | Number 8 | (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 28) | 47 | Western Force |
| Wycliff Palu | Number 8 | (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 33) | 57 | Waratahs |
| Nick Frisby | Scrum-half | (1992-10-29)29 October 1992 (aged 23) | 0 | Queensland Reds |
| Nick Phipps | Scrum-half | (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 27) | 39 | Waratahs |
| Bernard Foley | Fly-half | (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 26) | 27 | Waratahs |
| Christian Lealiifano | Fly-half | (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 28) | 16 | Brumbies |
| Karmichael Hunt | Centre | (1986-11-17)17 November 1986 (aged 29) | 0 | Queensland Reds |
| Samu Kerevi | Centre | (1993-09-27)27 September 1993 (aged 22) | 0 | Queensland Reds |
| Tevita Kuridrani | Centre | (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 25) | 31 | Brumbies |
| Matt To'omua | Centre | (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 26) | 31 | Brumbies |
| Dane Haylett-Petty | Wing | (1989-06-18)18 June 1989 (aged 26) | 0 | Western Force |
| Rob Horne | Wing | (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 26) | 29 | Waratahs |
| Luke Morahan | Wing | (1990-04-13)13 April 1990 (aged 26) | 1 | Western Force |
| Taqele Naiyaravoro | Wing | (1991-12-07)7 December 1991 (aged 24) | 1 | Waratahs |
| Israel Folau | Fullback | (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 27) | 38 | Waratahs |
| Mike Harris | Fullback | (1988-07-08)8 July 1988 (aged 27) | 10 | Melbourne Rebels |
| Reece Hodge | Fullback | (1994-08-26)26 August 1994 (aged 21) | 0 | Melbourne Rebels |

## Matches
### First test

* 11 June 2016 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 28–39 | England |
| Try: Hooper (2) 8' m, 58' m Folau 15' m Kuridrani 70' c Con: Foley (1/4) 71' Pen: Foley (2/2) 36', 77' | Report | Try: Joseph 31' c Yarde 45' c Nowell 79' c Con: Farrell (3/3) 32', 47', 80' Pen: Farrell (6/7) 20', 27', 30', 40', 56', 66' |
* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 48,735 Referee: Romain Poite (France)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Samu Kerevi |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne | | 28' |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps | | 77' |
| N8 | 8 | David Pocock |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper | | | 69' |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy | | 67' | 69' |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons | | 24' |
| LL | 4 | Rory Arnold | | 47' |
| TP | 3 | Greg Holmes | | 56' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore (c) | | 56' |
| LP | 1 | Scott Sio | 53' to 63' | 65' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | | 56' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Sekope Kepu | | 56' |
| LK | 19 | James Horwill | | 24' |
| LK | 20 | Dean Mumm | | 47' |
| FL | 21 | Sean McMahon | | 67' |
| SH | 22 | Nick Frisby | | 77' |
| FH | 23 | Christian Lealiifano | | 28' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
| FB | 15 | Mike Brown |
| RW | 14 | Anthony Watson | 69' |
| OC | 13 | Jonathan Joseph |
| IC | 12 | Luther Burrell | 28' |
| LW | 11 | Marland Yarde |
| FH | 10 | Owen Farrell |
| SH | 9 | Ben Youngs | 69' |
| N8 | 8 | Billy Vunipola | 71' |
| OF | 7 | James Haskell |
| BF | 6 | Chris Robshaw |
| RL | 5 | George Kruis | 59' |
| LL | 4 | Maro Itoje |
| TP | 3 | Dan Cole | 65' |
| HK | 2 | Dylan Hartley (c) | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Mako Vunipola | 65' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Luke Cowan-Dickie | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Matt Mullan | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Paul Hill | 65' |
| LK | 19 | Joe Launchbury | 71' |
| LK | 20 | Courtney Lawes | 59' |
| SH | 21 | Danny Care | 69' |
| FH | 22 | George Ford | 28' |
| WG | 23 | Jack Nowell | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||
* Man of the Match:
* James Haskell (England)
* Touch judges:
* Craig Joubert (South Africa)
* Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Rory Arnold, Nick Frisby, Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Petty (all Australia) made their international debuts.
* Mike Brown (England) earned his 50th test cap.
* England win back-to-back tests in Australia for the first time since 2003, while winning in Brisbane for the first time ever.
* The 39 points scored by England, are the most points scored by England against Australia.

### Second test

* 18 June 2016 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 7–23 | England |
| Try: Moore 34' c Con: Foley (1/1) 35' | Report | Try: Hartley 18' c Farrell 74' c Con: Farrell (2/2) 19', 75' Pen: Farrell (3/4) 30', 51', 79' |
* AAMI Park, Melbourne Attendance: 29,871 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Dane Haylett-Petty | 69' |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Samu Kerevi | 60' |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps | 69' |
| N8 | 8 | Sean McMahon | 50' |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy |
| RL | 5 | Sam Carter |
| LL | 4 | Rory Arnold | 33' to 40' | 33' to 40' | 50' |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 46' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore (c) | 54' |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 46' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 54' |
| PR | 17 | Toby Smith | 46' |
| PR | 18 | Greg Holmes | 46' |
| LK | 19 | Dean Mumm | 33' | 40' | 50' |
| N8 | 20 | Ben McCalman | 50' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Frisby | 69' |
| CE | 22 | Christian Lealiifano | 60' |
| WG | 23 | Luke Morahan | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
| FB | 15 | Mike Brown |
| RW | 14 | Anthony Watson | 76' |
| OC | 13 | Jonathan Joseph |
| IC | 12 | Owen Farrell |
| LW | 11 | Jack Nowell |
| FH | 10 | George Ford |
| SH | 9 | Ben Youngs | 65' |
| N8 | 8 | Billy Vunipola |
| OF | 7 | James Haskell | 71' |
| BF | 6 | Chris Robshaw | 71' |
| RL | 5 | George Kruis | 55' |
| LL | 4 | Maro Itoje |
| TP | 3 | Dan Cole | 65' |
| HK | 2 | Dylan Hartley (c) | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Mako Vunipola | 65' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Jamie George | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Matt Mullan | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Paul Hill | 65' |
| LK | 19 | Joe Launchbury | 71' |
| LK | 20 | Courtney Lawes | 55' |
| FL | 21 | Jack Clifford | 71' |
| SH | 22 | Danny Care | 65' |
| CE | 23 | Elliot Daly | 76' |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||
* Man of the Match:
* Chris Robshaw (England)
* Touch judges:
* Nigel Owens (Wales)
* Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Chris Robshaw (England) earned his 50th test cap, having started all of his appearances.
* The 16 points England won by is the most they have ever beaten Australia by in Australia, breaking the record of 11 points they set the previous week.
* England retain the Cook Cup for the third consecutive time.
* England win their first ever test series against Australia.
* England win their third consecutive match against Australia in Australia, the first time they have done this.

### Third test

* 25 June 2016 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 40–44 | England |
| Try: Foley 12' c Haylett-Petty 20' m Hooper 50' c Folau 57' c Naiyaravoro 80' m Con: Foley (3/5) 13', 51', 58' Pen: Foley (3/4) 27', 40', 71' | Report | Try: Cole 10' c Brown 29' c B. Vunipola 43' m George 66' c Con: Farrell (3/4) 11', 30', 67' Pen: Farrell (6/6) 25', 47', 55', 61', 69', 79' |
* Allianz Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 44,063 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Israel Folau |
| RW | 14 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| OC | 13 | Tevita Kuridrani |
| IC | 12 | Matt To'omua | 67' |
| LW | 11 | Rob Horne | 67' |
| FH | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| SH | 9 | Nick Phipps |
| N8 | 8 | Sean McMahon |
| OF | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| BF | 6 | Scott Fardy |
| RL | 5 | Rob Simmons | 40' |
| LL | 4 | Will Skelton | 51' |
| TP | 3 | Sekope Kepu | 58' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore (c) | 62' |
| LP | 1 | James Slipper | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 62' |
| PR | 17 | Scott Sio | 58' |
| PR | 18 | Greg Holmes | 58' |
| LK | 19 | Adam Coleman | 40' |
| N8 | 20 | Wycliff Palu | 51' |
| SH | 21 | Nick Frisby |
| FH | 22 | Christian Lealiifano | 67' |
| WG | 23 | Taqele Naiyaravoro | 67' |
| Coach: ||
| Michael Cheika ||
| FB | 15 | Mike Brown |
| RW | 14 | Anthony Watson |
| OC | 13 | Jonathan Joseph |
| IC | 12 | Owen Farrell |
| LW | 11 | Jack Nowell |
| FH | 10 | George Ford |
| SH | 9 | Ben Youngs | 53' |
| N8 | 8 | Billy Vunipola | 74' |
| OF | 7 | Teimana Harrison | 31' |
| BF | 6 | Chris Robshaw | 53' |
| RL | 5 | George Kruis | 61' |
| LL | 4 | Maro Itoje |
| TP | 3 | Dan Cole | 67' |
| HK | 2 | Dylan Hartley (c) | 63' |
| LP | 1 | Mako Vunipola | 79' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Jamie George | 63' |
| PR | 17 | Matt Mullan | 79' |
| PR | 18 | Paul Hill | 67' |
| LK | 19 | Joe Launchbury | 61' |
| LK | 20 | Courtney Lawes | 31' |
| FL | 21 | Jack Clifford | 53' |
| SH | 22 | Danny Care | 53' |
| CE | 23 | Elliot Daly | 74' |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||
* Man of the Match:
* Owen Farrell (England)
* Touch judges:
* Craig Joubert (South Africa)
* Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Adam Coleman (Australia) made his international debut.
* England score their most points against Australia in Australia, surpassing the 39 points scored in the first test of this test series.
* Australia lose 3–0 for the first time since they lost their three-test series to South Africa in 1971.
* This was the first time three matches had been played in a series between England and Australia.

## Statistics

Key
* Con: Conversions
* Pen: Penalties
* DG: Drop goals
* Pts: Points