Allan Hunter (rugby union)
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23 September 1922
| Born | Allan Douglas Hunter 23 September 1922 Christchurch, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||
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| Died | 12 July 2017 (aged 94) Christchurch, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||
| School | Timaru Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||
| University | Canterbury University College | ||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Schoolteacher | ||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||
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Allan Douglas Hunter MNZM (23 September 1922 – 12 July 2017) was a New Zealand rugby union player and schoolteacher. He played provincial rugby for Hawke's Bay, and was principal of both Upper Hutt College and Burnside High School.
Born in Christchurch on 23 September 1922, Hunter was educated at Timaru Boys' High School from 1936 to 1940.[1][2][3] He then studied at Canterbury University College, graduating Master of Arts with third-class honours in 1948.[4]
Hunter's university studies were interrupted by World War II. He was called up in July 1941, but he was allowed to defer army training until after examinations at the end of that year.[5] He served with the First Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, which was tasked with defending the Canterbury coast against attack by the Japanese.[5] He later travelled to Britain where he joined the Royal Navy and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant,[5][6] and served in HMS Rutherford from 1944 to 1945.[7]
Hunter married Joan Esme Tyler, and the couple went on to have three children.[6][8]
Rugby union
While at Timaru Boys' High School, Hunter played for the school's 1st XV rugby team.[9] He then played for the Canterbury University College club team alongside Bob Stuart, Larry Savage, and Jack Kelly.[10] After moving to Napier in 1949, Hunter was selected for the Hawke's Bay provincial team, playing as a first five-eighth.[10]
