Tonie Carroll
Carroll playing for the Broncos in 2008
Personal information
Nickname	The Jaw, Tunza
Born	17 February 1976 (1976-02-17) (age 33)
	Christchurch, New Zealand
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	108 kg (17 st 0 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre, Lock, Second-row
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1996–00	Brisbane Broncos	89	29	0	0	116
2001–02	Leeds Rhinos	42	30	0	0	120
2003–09	Brisbane Broncos	118	26	0	0	104
	Total	249	85	0	0	340
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1997	Queensland (SL)	2	1	0	0	4
1998–07	Queensland	18	1	0	0	4
2000	New Zealand	3	0	0	0	0
2004–05	Australia	7	2	0	0	8
Source: NRL Stats

Tonie Carroll (born 17 February 1976 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL^[1]. He retired from rugby league 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^[2]. 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 on the Gold Coast, 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.^[3] 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 later 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.^[4]

[edit] United Kingdom

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 in the 2006 grand final against Melbourne. Despite limping, he refused to leave the field and ended up playing solid football later in the game.

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 has 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^[5]. However he returned in July 2009 after the Broncos suffered a series of injuries^[6].

[edit] Referee controversy, 2009

In his second comeback match for the Broncos, Carroll accidentally knocked out referee Tony De Las Heras during the Broncos' match against the Rabbitohs after Heras had accidentally fallen down following a run by Souths winger Jamie Simpson. Carroll picked up a minor knee injury as a result, and missed the next week. Carroll escaped any judiciary action.

[edit] External links

• Tonie Carroll at the State of Origin official website.
• Profile at leedsrugby
• Tonie Carroll at the Former Origin Greats website.

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