Alfred Henry Netherwood Fanning

All Blacks ID: #204

Alfred Fanning was the younger brother (by more than 15 years) of the 1903-04 national representative Bernard. He, too, was a barrel-chested lock and as did his brother played for the Linwood club. However, he was also a foundation member of the Marist club which at various stages has been along with Linwood one of Canterbury's dominant clubs.

Alf played 13 matches for Canterbury in the 1913-14 seasons. He gained his All Blacks colours for the 1913 third test against Australia when the best of the New Zealand players were on their way to tour North America.

Fanning scored the All Blacks' only try but the match was lost and with the outbreak of World War 1 which ended his career the following that was his only All Black appearance. He played in all only 14 first class games. Served on the Junior Advisory Board of the Canterbury RFU.

Another of Fanning's brothers, Leo, was one of New Zealand's most prominent journalists. He wrote in 1910 a thoughtful book on New Zealand rugby and many of its personalities, "Players and Stayers".

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