Connelly Lemuelu

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).

Connelly Lemuelu
Lemuelu in 2022
Personal information
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
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020–22 North Qld Cowboys 24 4 0 0 16
2023– Dolphins 23 7 0 0 28
Total 47 11 0 0 44
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023– Samoa 1 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 16 October 2023

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 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 (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)

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]

2021

Lemuelu played thirteen matches and scored one try for North Queensland.

Further information: 2021 North Queensland Cowboys season

2022

Lemuelu played four matches and scored two tries for North Queensland. 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 round 10 against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, Lemuelu scored a try for the Dolphins in their 36-16 victory.[17]

Further information: 2023 Dolphins season
Further information: List of Dolphins (NRL) players

Achievements and accolades

Team

Statistics

NRL
Stats correct to the end of round 27 of the 2023 season[18]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2020 North Queensland 7100.004
2021 13100.004
2022 4200.008
2023 Dolphins 23700.0028
Career totals 47 11 0 0.0 0 44
Further information: 2023 Dolphins season
Further information: List of Dolphins (NRL) players

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.
  15. https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-9/raiders-v-dolphins/?fbclid=IwAR1A9vnQhrhTHwsjsxQJOYKxCW4XF88azEEHS8p7pgMTkGhmtoVCtNeNiio
  16. "Canberra Raiders vs. Dolphins score, result, highlights: Jack Wighton stars in golden point win". www.sportingnews.com.
  17. https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-10/sharks-v-dolphins/
  18. "Connelly Lemuelu - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project.
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