Tonie Carroll (born 17 February 1976 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and New Zealand international representative utility, he played for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL.[3] Carroll retired from playing in 2009 and was working in real estate on the Gold Coast, he has since returned after seeing the Broncos recent injuries and poor performances over the past month he decided to play another season.[4] He was something of a utility player, having played at lock, second row and also at centre and five-eighth. Carroll represented Queensland in State of Origin and played his club football for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL, winning premierships with them in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2006. He also spend two seasons with the Leeds Rhinos of Super League and was named at centre in the 2001 Dream Team. He currently resides in Bridgeman Downs, and was in real estate until his comeback in mid 2009.
[edit] Early career
While attending Beenleigh High, Carroll played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1993.[5] Nicknamed 'Tunza', he started his Australian club career with Brisbane's Easts Tigers team before being picked up by the Broncos.
Carroll made his first grade debut for Brisbane against the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on 21 April 1996 and went on to win the Broncos' rookie of the year award for the season. He became best known for his devastating defensive hits and scored a try in Brisbane's 1998 NRL Grand Final victory to claim his second premiership ring.
Carroll created controversy when, after first representing Queensland then representing New Zealand in the 2000 World Cup (scoring a try in the final against Australia), he played for the Australian side, due to his having played State of Origin. When selected for the Kangaroos in 2004s Tri-Nations competition, Carroll became the first player in 90 years (since Bill Kelly in 1914) to play for both New Zealand and Australia. After winning a 3rd premiership with the Broncos at the end of the 2000 season, Carroll left Australia to play with the Leeds Rhinos.[6]
[edit] United Kingdom
Tunza in action for the Broncos against the Knights in 2008
Carroll finished his first season in the European Super League as top try-scorer for Leeds with 23 tries in 28 games, including hat-tricks in consecutive games. This earned him a place in the centres in 2001's Super League Dream Team.
The following year was a frustrating one for Carroll as he struggled with injury, however he still managed 22 appearances, scoring eight tries. After two seasons at the Rhinos he returned to the Broncos.
[edit] Later career
Carroll returned to the Broncos in 2003. His leg was injured when playing at lock forward in the 2006 NRL Grand Final against Melbourne. Despite limping, he refused to leave the field and helped Brisbane to victory and another premiership.
The following season at the Broncos' 20-year anniversary celebration, the club announced a list of the 20 best players to play for them to date which included Carroll.[7]
In 2007, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett pulled a surprise selection by naming Carroll at five-eighth left vacant due to the season ending knee injury to captain Darren Lockyer, a position he had only played for 50 minutes in his entire career, opting for Carroll ahead of other options such as, Joel Moon, Karmichael Hunt, Shane Perry and Greg Eastwood.
Carroll retired at the end of 2008 NRL season.[8] However he returned in July 2009 after the Broncos suffered a series of injuries.[9]
Tonie Carrol was detained by police on Sunday 28 November 2009, following an alleged altercation with a woman, believed to be his partner.[10] No charges were laid.
[edit] References
- ^ CARROLL, TONIE JAMES 2000 - KIWI #684 nzleague.co.nz
- ^ Ricketts, Steve (12 July 2008). "Tireless Tunza shows he can last distance". The Courier-Mail (Australia: Queensland Newspapers). http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/znrl/long-haul-wont-faze-tunza/story-e6frep76-1111116889467. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25713121-5018866,00.html
- ^ http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25707394-5018866,00.html
- ^ "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
- ^ "Carroll confirms departure". BBC. 2002-07-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/2104600.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-20.
- ^ Dekroo, Karl (2007-05-09). "Still the king". The Courier-Mail (Australia: Queensland Newspapers). http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21701434-10389,00.html. Retrieved 2009-12-08. [dead link]
- ^ "2009 NRL Player Movements". NRL Live. 2008-10-04. http://www.nrllive.com.au/2009-nrl-player-movements/. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
- ^ "Tonie Carroll makes surprise return for Broncos". Brisbane Times. 2009-06-29. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/tonie-carroll-makes-surprise-return-for-broncos-20090629-d27v.html. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- ^ "Tonie Carroll in alleged domestic violence case with wife". The Courier-Mail. 2009-12-02. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26433426-3102,00.html.
[edit] External links
| Persondata |
| Name |
Carroll, Tonie |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Australian-New Zealand rugby league player |
| Date of birth |
17 February 1976 |
| Place of birth |
Christchurch |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
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