Chris Caruana


Chris Caruana 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

A North Sydney junior from the Brothers junior club, 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 to 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. 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. 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. At the end of the 2002 season, Caruana was released by Souths.

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.
In 2012, Caruana was reported as living homeless after years of suffering from borderline personality disorder.