When he returned to Auckland, Dunning represented the region between 1905 and 1907, becoming a key member of the Ranfurly Shield winning team.

[2][3] Dunning was selected for the professional All Blacks 1907–1908 tour of Australia and Great Britain and subsequently received a life ban from the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Dunning and Billy Wynyard were the last two players to join the squad, after they had been representing Auckland against Hawke's Bay Rugby Union.

On his return to New Zealand Dunning, along with Billy Tyler, helped found the Ponsonby United Rugby League club.

[4] He was part of New Zealand tours of Australia in 1911 and 1912.Dunning suffered a leg injury, losing the patella in his right knee in World War I and walked with a stick until his death in 1955.