MATT DUNNING

'Matt Dunning' (born December 19, 1978 in Calgary, Canada) is a rugby player. He was educated at Northholm Grammar School and represented New South Wales and Australian Schools, U19s and U21s. He has so far won 25 caps playing at loose-head prop for the Australian rugby union side. He plays club rugby for Eastwood and represents the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 12 since 2001. He made his international test debut at the age of 24 on 25 October, 2003 during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The match, against Namibia was won 142-0 and is the largest winning margin for an Australian side. The only other match he played in during the tournament was the 17-20 loss against England in the final. Matt Dunning is perhaps most famous for his winning drop goal in the 2003 Super 12 season. His team, the NSW Waratahs, needed a bonus point to make the finals. Since the Waratahs were playing with advantage, Dunning decided to kick a drop goal, which he assumed would miss. This would result in a penalty being awarded, which would allow the ball to be kicked into touch and possibly a line-out drive that could lead to a try. Unfortunately, the kick hit its mark and sailed through the posts, much to his and his teammates' dismay.
Dunning has also gained fame for being perhaps the most obese person to ever play Rugby Union for Australia. Dunning's scrummaging style has, at times been criticised^[1]. However Dunning posses formitable strength, with the ability to bench press 185kg (410lbs) and deadlift 250kg (550lbs).
His brother is Canadian prop Casey Dunning.