Alphonsus "Fonse" John Carroll (20 April 1895 in Mataura – 1 December 1974 in Palmerston North) was a New Zealand dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, who represented New Zealand in both codes.[1] He played at both Prop and Hooker.
Carroll was born in Mataura on 20 April 1895 before moving to the Manawatu with his family. He was the youngest of five brothers who represented Manawatu in rugby union. Carroll was a conscientious objector during World War I. In his early years Carroll was a race horse trainer, however one of his best horses broke down following the New Zealand Grand National in 1916.[2]
Carroll began playing rugby union aged 22 in 1917 for the Jackeytown club and first represented Manawatu in 1919.[2] Carroll was also selected for the North Island in 1919.
Carroll played in 8 games for the All Blacks, being a part of the 1920 tour of Australia, but never played in a Test match.[3] Carroll scored 3 tries and 2 conversions for the All Blacks, totaling 13 points.[2] He played for the combined Manawatu-Horowhenua team against the touring South African side in 1921. Carroll continued to play for Manawatu until 1924.
On September 13, just 2 weeks after playing in Manawatu's first ever Ranfurly Shield Challenge against Hawke's Bay Carroll switched codes and played for Manawatu against Wellington at Foxton. Carroll scored a try in the match which was drawn 14-14. Interviewed after the game he said "there was no loafing in the lineout, but one had to be going all the time" and "intimated the code had come to stay in Manawatu so far as he was concerned".[4]
In 1925 Carroll 'moved' to Wellington, representing the province.[5] Carroll was in fact driving to Wellington from Palmerston North each weekend to play for Newtown.[6] During the season he was selected to play for the North Island team against the South Island. The North won 27-9 in front of 4,000 at Carlaw Park.[7] From this match he was selected to play for New Zealand on their tour of Australia where he played 9 matches and scored 2 tries. His one and only match for the full Wellington side (he played in 3 trial matches across his 2 seasons), was against Auckland B at Newtown Park. Wellington were thrashed 68 to 9.[8]