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
People in Bernard Fanning's life
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Contemporaries
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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
· 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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