Born: c.1900 – Auckland
Died: September 25, 1973 – Auckland
Test record: 1 Tests (1928) – 0 points

Hooker Alf Townsend played one Test for New Zealand in 1928 after relocating to Otago.

Townsend played for Auckland club City Rovers in 1920 and debuted for the province the following season. He represented Auckland against New Zealand Māori in 1922 and Australian Universities in 1924, and North Island in the inaugural clash with South Island in 1925.

Relocating to Otago with the City club, Townsend was called up to the New Zealand side for the decding third Test of the 1928 series against England in Christchurch, replacing Wally Somers. The tourists clinched the rubber with a dour 6-5 win.

Townsend featured in South Island’s historic 22-13 win over North Island in 1929 and later had stints with Athletic and Pacific in Dunedin.