12 Facts About Tony Rea

Tony Rea was born on 25 July 1966 and is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and a former head coach for Super League club, London Broncos.

Tony Rea was born on 25 July 1966 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.

Tony Rea began his playing career in 1984 in the local Brisbane competition at the Brothers club.

In 1988, Tony Rea was recruited to play in the premier NSWRL competition by North Sydney, mainly playing in the hooking position and being appointed captain when John Dorahy retired in the middle of 1989.

Tony Rea played seven seasons with the Bears, but lost his first grade berth to Mark Soden in the middle of 1994.

Tony Rea was recruited in 1994 alongside many fellow Antipodeans by the new Australian owners of the London rugby league club, who changed the name of the club from London Crusaders to London Broncos.

Tony Rea played for the club during the change of top-flight rugby league in England from the winter season to summer Rugby League, with the advent of the new Super League competition in 1996.

Tony Rea was persuaded at the end of the 2000 season to become head coach on a full-time basis, so this meant he had to resign his Chief Executive role.

Tony Rea was replaced as head coach by Leeds Rhinos' assistant coach Brian McDermott, but was appointed onto the club's board of directors.

Tony Rea was appointed the Brumbies 2011 head coach after Andy Friend was fired two games into the season.

In July 2012, Tony Rea agreed to replace Rob Powell as interim London Broncos head coach until the end of the 2012 season.

In 2014 Tony Rea stepped down as head coach of the London Broncos and was replaced by his assistant coach Joey Grima.