While attending
Beenleigh State High School, 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.
Brisbane Broncos Carroll made his first grade début 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 début for the Maroons from the interchange bench in the
1998 series, scoring a crucial match-winning try on debut in a game Queensland would win by 1 point with a
Darren Lockyer conversion after the siren. 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. Carroll played at centre for the Broncos in their
2000 NRL grand final win over the
Sydney Roosters. He then 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.
Leeds Rhinos Carroll finished his first season in the
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.
Return to Brisbane Carroll returned to the Broncos in 2003. Carroll was selected in the Australian team to go and compete in the end of season
2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against
Great Britain he played at lock forward in the Kangaroos' 44–4 victory. Carroll's 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. As 2006 NRL Premiers, the
Brisbane Broncos travelled to England to face 2006
Super League champions,
St Helens R.F.C. in the
2007 World Club Challenge. Carroll played at lock forward in the Broncos' 14–18 loss. During the
2007 NRL 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. In 2007, Broncos coach
Wayne Bennett pulled a surprise selection by naming Carroll at 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. However, he returned in July 2009 after the Broncos suffered a series of injuries, before retiring conclusively at the end of the season. == Statistics ==