What is a Test vs a Friendly?

Question

Some of the commentators were calling last nights game btwn the All Blacks and Samoa 'a friendly' and yet when players were scoring tries the commentators were saying that was his first 'test' try. Is a friendly a test and if not what is the difference. Also what makes a game an international? e.g. does the All Blacks end of year game against Munster count as an international or does it need to be between two countries? Thank you.

Answer 1

A friendly is more a none sanctioned test by the IRB you do not see to many any more codes like NRL having pre seaon friendlies as does super 12 but they are not sanctioned and they are no pints awarded. In order for something to get test status it is sanctioned in the international calender. A mid week game against Munster will not be regarded as a test match.  

Answer 2

A friendly is a term more commonly used in Football when 2 teams are playing each other outside a tournament. So world cup qualifiers are Tests (although this term isn't really heard in Football), a one off warm up game before the world cup such as when NZ played Brazil last year was a friendly. Rugby commentators have borrowed the term from there and seeing as the game last night was outside a tournament such as the Tri nations or part of a tour they were calling it a friendly. It had full Test status from the IRB and caps were awarded. Being called a friendly does not lower the status of the game in either code.  

Answer 3

It looks like the IRB are reveiwing this soon. Seems there is a bit of confusion out there

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4675576a223...

Answer 4

There is no such thing as a 'friendly' in any sport.    This tag is a Socialist PC thing and has nothing to do with the competitive spirit that sports people abide by when competing.   It has nothing to do with those same sports people striving to reach greatness in their sport.     The only thing friendly about sports is the beer[or whatever] with the opposition after the event.  

Answer 5

Last nights game was a Test match and full test caps awarded for it for both sides.

Games for the All Blacks against non test teams like Munster or the Barbarians are counted as games for NZ rather than a test cap. Back in the days of full tours All Blacks used to knock up quite a few non-cap games for th AB's.

Example:

Colin Meads: Tests 55; Games 78; Test points 21; Points for NZ 65.

Answer 6

i dont know .. but i think test is something that goes on records.. but friendly is something just is just for heck of things..

Answer 7

it was  a test  the coomentatos called it a friendly becasuse there was no trophy or series  at stake.  The match was just a filler for the ABs to get soem game time together before they take on Aust..