Tonie Carroll

Tonie Carroll

Carroll playing for the Broncos in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Tonie James Carroll
Nickname	The Bodyguard, Tunza
Born	(1976-02-17) 17 February 1976 (age 41) Christchurch, New Zealand
Playing information
Height	186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	103 kg (16 st 3 lb)
Position	Lock, Centre, Second-row, Five-eighth
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1996–00 Brisbane Broncos 89 29 0 0 116 2001–02 Leeds Rhinos 50 31 0 0 124 2003–09 Brisbane Broncos 129 26 0 0 104 Total 268 86 0 0 344 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 5 4 0 0 16 2004–05 Australia 7 2 0 0 8
Source: NRL Stats

Tonie Carroll (born 17 February 1976 in Christchurch, New Zealand) is a retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s, and 2000s. An Australian and New Zealand international and Queensland State of Origin representative, he played for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL and Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. Carroll retired from playing at the end of 2008 to work in real estate, before making a brief mid-season comeback to bolster a depleted Broncos side in 2009. Carroll was a utility player, appearing at lock, second row, centre and five-eighth.

While attending Beenleigh High, Carroll played for the Waterford Demons. 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 1996 Brisbane Broncos season's rookie of the year award. Despite his Kiwi background, Carroll was selected to represent Queensland in the Super League Tri-series. He made his State of Origin debut for the Maroons from the interchange bench in the 1998 series. Carroll 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.