SPENCER DUNN – KIWI #462

West Coast product Spencer Dunn played 22 matches for Canterbury and featured at centre in two of New Zealand’s 1968 World Cup fixtures.

Moving to Christchurch and joining Papanui in 1964, Dunn broke into the Canterbury provincial side in 1967 and played for Southern Zone against the touring NSW Country side the following season.

Dunn was named as a reserve back in the Kiwis’ 1968 World Cup squad but was promoted to the starting backline following their loss to France in the Carlaw Park tournament opener. Partnering Paul Schultz in the centres opposite the brilliant combination of Graeme Langlands and Johnny Greaves, Dunn scored a try on debut against Australia at Lang Park as New Zealand grabbed a 7-4 halftime lead before being overrun 31-12.

Dunn retained his spot for the 38-14 loss to Great Britain at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Injury forced Dunn’s withdrawal from the New Zealand Under-23s team that toured NSW in 1969, but he continued to represent Canterbury until 1971 and was part of the Papanui side that dominated the CRL premiership in the early-1970s. After hanging up the boots, he returned to the West Coast and coached the proud Runanga club.

Papanui Tigers 1970 (Spencer Dunn sixth from left)

SPENCER DUNN
NEW ZEALAND (1968)
2 Tests – 1 try (3 points)
-Kiwis 1968 World Cup squad