Connelly Lemuelu
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).
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | Auckland, New Zealand | 7 July 1998|||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 106 kg (16 st 10 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Centre, Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 25 September 2020 Source: RLP |
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.