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Bernard Fanning

1874 – 1946

New Zealand rugby player, blacksmith

BlacksmithRugby union player
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About Bernard Fanning

Lived 1874 – 1946 (aged 71). Bernard Fanning was a New Zealand blacksmith and rugby union player.

Bernard John Fanning (11 November 1874 — 9 July 1946) was a New Zealand rugby union international.

Biography Fanning, born in Christchurch, was a blacksmith by profession and spent his rugby career with local club Linwood. Other than one season at Wellington, he played his provincial rugby with Canterbury, making 56 representative appearances.

A lock, Fanning toured Australia in 1903 with the All Blacks, playing a match in Sydney which is considered the first Test between the Trans-Tasman teams. He was capped a second time the following year in Wellington, against the touring Great British team, then in 1905 gained a place on the tour of Britain and France, but declared himself unavailable.

Fanning's younger brother Alfred was later capped for the All Blacks, as well as his nephew Lou Petersen.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Blacksmith, rugby union player
Nationality
Also known as
Bernard John Fanning

People in Bernard Fanning's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bernard Fanning's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bernard Fanning?

New Zealand rugby player, blacksmith (1874-1946)

When was Bernard Fanning born?

Bernard Fanning was born on 11 November 1874 in Christchurch.

When did Bernard Fanning die?

Bernard Fanning died on 9 July 1946.

What was Bernard Fanning's occupation?

Bernard Fanning was a blacksmith and rugby union player.

What nationality was Bernard Fanning?

Bernard Fanning was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bernard Fanning

· Wikidata: Q15725882

· DBpedia: Bernard Fanning (rugby union)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bernard Fanning. https://biography.guide/bernard-fanning/

MLA: "Bernard Fanning." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bernard-fanning/.

Chicago: "Bernard Fanning." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bernard-fanning/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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