Connelly Lemuelu
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 7 July 1998 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 106 kg (16 st 10 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: RLP As of 25 September 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Connelly Lemuelu (born 7 July 1998) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Background
Born and raised in Auckland, Lemuelu played rugby union for Papatoetoe before moving to Australia as a 15-year old to attend Keebra Park State High School.[1] While at Keebra Park, he signed with the Wests Tigers.
Playing career
Early career
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.[2] 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.[3]
In 2017, Lemuelu moved to Sydney, joining the Wests Tigers under-20 side.[4] In 2019, after two seasons with the Tigers, Lemuelu joined the Canterbury 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.[5]
On 29 October 2019, he signed a two-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys.[6]
2020
In February, Lemuelu was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad.[7] On 22 February, he started on the wing in the Cowboys 18–16 pre-season trial win over the Brisbane Broncos, scoring a try.[8] He started the 2020 season playing for the Cowboys' Queensland Cup feeder club, the Northern Pride.[9]
In Round 6 of the 2020 NRL season, Lemuelu made his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers.[10] In Round 14, he scored his first NRL try in a 30–31 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[11]
Achievements and accolades
Team
- 2020 NRL Nines: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners
Statistics
NRL
- Statistics are correct to the end of the 2020 season[12]
| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |  North Queensland
|
7 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 4 |
| Career totals | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 4 | |
References
- ^ "An only child who left his parents in New Zealand, Connelly Lemuelu has a lot to play for". 5 March 2020.
- ^ "2016 State Champions". 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Keebra Park defeated in 2016 GIO National Schoolboys Final". 14 September 2016.
- ^ "NYC Team Announcement: Round 13". 30 May 2017.
- ^ "Emerging talent added to Development List". 3 July 2019.
- ^ "Cowboys sign Lemuelu". 29 October 2019.
- ^ "Cowboys out gun Dragons in the West". 15 February 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys welcome back Cotter in win over Broncos". 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Pride sweat on injured pair". 15 March 2020.
- ^ "NRL team list : Round 6 v Tigers". 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Reynolds kicks Rabbitohs to third straight win". League Unlimited. 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Connelly Lemuelu - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project.