Connelly Lemuelu

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

Connelly Lemuelu
Personal information
Full nameConnelly Lemuelu
Born (1998-07-07) 7 July 1998
Auckland, New Zealand
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020–22 North Qld Cowboys 24 4 0 0 16
2023– Dolphins 6 1 0 0 4
Total 30 5 0 0 20
Source: [1]
As of 5 March 2023

He previously played for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League.

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.[2] 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.[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 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]

2020

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]

2022

After missing out on initial selection, he was called up as a replacement into the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[13]

Achievements and accolades

Team

Statistics

NRL
Statistics are correct to the end of the 2022 season[14]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2020 North Queensland 7100.004
2021 North Queensland 13100.004
2022 North Queensland 4200.008
2023 Dolphins 1100.004
Career totals 25 5 0 0.0 0 20

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. "Connelly Lemuelu - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project.
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