Chris Caruana Explained

Chris Caruana
Birth Date:18 March 1971
Retired:yes
Club1:North Sydney Bears
Year1start:1992
Year1end:97
Appearances1:108
Tries1:38
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:152
Club2:South Sydney
Year2start:1998
Year2end:02
Appearances2:49
Tries2:6
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:24
Source:[1]

Chris Caruana (born 18 March 1971) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He played for the North Sydney Bears and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He primarily played in the centres.

Playing career

Growing up in public housing in Millers Point, Caruana began as Balmain junior playing for the Pyrmont Colts club. He then later played for the North Sydney junior club Brothers, from where he was graded by the Bears. Caruana made his first-grade debut on 12 April 1992 during round 4 against the Western Suburbs Magpies. Norths went on to lose the match 26-16. Caruana's breakout year was the 1994 NSWRL season where he made 22 appearances and scored 5 tries. He was in the team that made it all the way to the preliminary final but lost the match to eventual premiers Canberra Raiders. Caruana was also part of the North Sydney sides which experienced preliminary final heartbreak in 1996 and 1997. During the 1997 season, Caruana was fined and dropped from first grade as he was accused by then Newcastle player Owen Craigie of racially abusing him in a match.[2] [3] At the end of the season, Caruana signed with Souths.

Caruana played with Souths during the 1998 and 1999 seasons before they were kicked out of the competition.[4] In 2002, Caruana made his comeback to rugby league for South Sydney after they were reinstated in the competition. During his time away, Caruana worked at Flemington fruit markets, as a bricklayer and a personal trainer to professional surfers.[5] At the end of the 2002 season, Caruana was released by Souths.[6]

Post playing

After retiring from first-grade rugby league, Caruana moved to Woolgoolga and had some involvement in country rugby league in the town. On 21 May 2010, Caruana pleaded guilty to assault in relation to his former partner. Released on conditional bail, Caruana was to reappear in the Coffs Harbour Local Court to be sentenced on 21 July 2010.[7]

In 2012, Caruana was reported as living homeless after years of suffering from borderline personality disorder.[8] In January 2023, Caruana revealed his battle with methamphetamine addiction and being homeless, and that he has been sober for 33 months.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chris Caruana - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. Shawn Dollin and Andrew. Ferguson. Rugbyleagueproject.org. 18 October 2017.
  2. Web site: Langmack, Craigie to meet over racial abuse claim. Smh.com.au. 18 October 2017.
  3. Web site: Rose: Racist slurs hurt for life. Dailytelegraph.com.au. 18 October 2017.
  4. Web site: A proud club that would not die. Dailytelegraph.com.au. 18 October 2017.
  5. Web site: Caruana back for Souths after varied three years. Smh.com.au. 18 October 2017.
  6. Web site: Who's where after the big NRL player shuffle. Smh.com.au. 18 October 2017.
  7. Web site: Caruana pleads guilty to assault. Northernstar.com.au. 18 October 2017.
  8. Web site: NRL: Former South Sydney Rabbitoh Chris Caruana living in car. Forums.leagueunlimited.com. 18 October 2017.
  9. https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/2023-chris-caruana-reveals-drug-and-mental-health-issues-after-retirement-left-him-homeless-suicidal/69ce6d2b-c42c-45e0-a5c8-9dba61682a17