Connelly Lemuelu

Last updated

Connelly Lemuelu
Connelly Lemuelu.jpg
Personal information
Born (1998-07-07) 7 July 1998 (age 26)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
Position Second-row, Centre, Prop
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2020–22 North Qld Cowboys 2440016
2023– Dolphins 4180032
Total65120048
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2023– Samoa 10000
Source: [1]
As of 8 September 2024

Connelly Lemuelu (born 7 July 1998) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-rower for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Contents

He previously played for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL as a centre, and has represented Samoa internationally.

Background

Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Lemuelu played rugby union for Papatoetoe before moving to Australia as a fifteen-year old to attend Keebra Park State High School. [2] While at Keebra Park, he signed with the Wests Tigers.

Playing career

Early career (2016-2019)

In 2016, Lemuelu was a member of Keebra Park's rugby league team. In the Queensland state championship game, he kicked the winning field goal in a 27–26 win over Coombabah State High School. [3] On 14 September 2016, he started at fullback in Keebra Park's 24–26 loss to Westfields Sports High School in the GIO Schoolboy Cup final, scoring two tries. [4]

In 2017, Lemuelu moved to Sydney, joining the Wests Tigers under-20 side. [5] In 2019, after two seasons with the Tigers, Lemuelu joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, playing for their New South Wales Cup side. On 3 July 2019, he was elevated to the Bulldogs' NRL squad, signing a development contract. [6]

On 29 October 2019, he signed a two-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys. [7]

North Queensland Cowboys (2020-2022)

Lemuelu representing Samoa in 2022 Connelly Lemuelu.jpg
Lemuelu representing Samoa in 2022

In February, Lemuelu was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad. [8] On 22 February, he started on the wing in the Cowboys 18–16 pre-season trial win over the Brisbane Broncos, scoring a try. [9] He started the 2020 season playing for the Cowboys' Queensland Cup feeder club, the Northern Pride. [10]

In Round 6 of the 2020 NRL season, Lemuelu made his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers. [11] In Round 14, he scored his first NRL try in a 30–31 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. [12]

In 2021, Lemuelu played thirteen matches and scored one try for North Queensland. In 2022, he played four matches and scored two tries.

International

After missing out on initial international selection, he was called up as a replacement into the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – Men's tournament in late 2022. [13]

Dolphins (2023-present)

In round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, Lemuelu made his club debut for the Dolphins and scored a try in their inaugural game in the national competition, defeating the Sydney Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp Stadium. [14] In round 9, he scored two tries in the Dolphins 30-31 loss to the Canberra Raiders at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga. [15] [16] In total, Lemuelu played twenty-three games and scored seven tries for the Dolphins in 2023.

Achievements and accolades

Team

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References

  1. ↑ RLP
  2. ↑ "An only child who left his parents in New Zealand, Connelly Lemuelu has a lot to play for". 5 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "2016 State Champions". 8 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "Keebra Park defeated in 2016 GIO National Schoolboys Final". 14 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "NYC Team Announcement: Round 13". 30 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "Emerging talent added to Development List". 3 July 2019.
  7. ↑ "Cowboys sign Lemuelu". 29 October 2019.
  8. ↑ "Cowboys out gun Dragons in the West". 15 February 2020.
  9. ↑ "Cowboys welcome back Cotter in win over Broncos". 22 February 2020.
  10. ↑ "Pride sweat on injured pair". 15 March 2020.
  11. ↑ "NRL team list : Round 6 v Tigers". 16 June 2020.
  12. ↑ "Reynolds kicks Rabbitohs to third straight win". League Unlimited. 15 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  14. ↑ "'I don't want to take the gloss off... but': Kenty's warning for Dolphins after historic first-up win". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 March 2023.
  15. ↑ "Raiders v Dolphins".
  16. ↑ "Canberra Raiders vs. Dolphins score, result, highlights: Jack Wighton stars in golden point win". www.sportingnews.com. 29 April 2023.
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