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Wests Tigers-bound Connelly Lemuelu kicks golden-point field goal to take Keebra Park to title
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Connor O’Brien, Gold Coast Bulletin
September 7, 2016 12:00am
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WITH a state championship on the line, up stepped star Keebra Park State High fullback Connelly Lemuelu.
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The match, played yesterday at Pizzey Park, shaped as a David and Goliath battle with Coombabah rank outsiders to the giant Keebra line-up.
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What ensued was a tense, dramatic, see-sawing GIO Schoolboys Cup final between two talented and desperate sides.
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Across 60 minutes the lead changed five times, before a late penalty goal to Coombabah winger Callum Boomer sent the decider into golden point.
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Off the back of an excellent carry by Payne Haas the ball was fired to Wests Tigers-bound Lemuelu, who calmly slotted a 35m field goal to send Keebra’s huge supporter base into raptures.
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“It’s pretty good – overwhelming,” an emotional Lemuelu told the Bulletin.
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“Most of the boys have been waiting a few years, me myself have been waiting for two years just to make the Queensland final let alone the Australian final.
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“We just stuck to our structure, we didn’t panic at the end and lucky for me I ended up with that final field goal.”
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His father Konelio was in tears, having flown across from New Zealand to watch the game.
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“I think that’s probably my good luck charm,” Lemuelu said. “Dad’s going back to New Zealand (today), Mum’s turn next week in the Australian final.”
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Keebra last won a state title in 2013, when they went on to claim their second national crown.
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They will play Westfields Sports High in the national final in Sydney next week.
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Keebra coach Glen Campbell said they’ll go in confident: “We’re not going down there to run second”.
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Prior to his field goal heroics, Lemuelu had earlier helped his side edge ahead in the 55th minute, showing an outstanding sleight of hand in a scrum-based set piece to put centre Liam Pakau through for his second try untouched.
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The result ended Coombabah’s fairytale run which included beating heavyweights Palm Beach Currumbin State High and Kirwan State High – last year’s national winners – in consecutive matches.
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Only millimetres prevented them progressing further, with five-eighth Taine Tuapiki’s field goal attempt into the wind in the dying minutes of regular time scraping just under the cross bar.
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Coombabah coach Scott Marlow had special praise for standout captain Rei Rei Marsh, who carried a fractured sternum, and said the side had paved the way for future success.
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“It’s been very difficult being the new kids on the block with Palm Beach and Keebra here so it’s been a long time coming for Coombabah but these boys have really set a great legacy for the teams that come in the future,” he said.
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Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell was among a high-profile crowd. Six Keebra players – Lemuelu, Pakau, Oscar Tui, Liam Hampson, Kelepi Lui and captain Tom Mikaele – will join the NRL club’s under-20s 2017 squad.
Final score was 27-26\. Play Westfield Sports High next week. A prop, centre and fullback amongst the players we've secured.
Also rumoured to have Spencer Poimatagi-Purcell, Bryce Whale and Kees Nicholson under contract.
Here's also a video one of their students filmed of the moments after the golden point field goal was kicked. I think they enjoyed the win! https://youtu.be/qb0IDLTo7PY
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Connor O’Brien, Gold Coast Bulletin
September 7, 2016 12:00am
>
WITH a state championship on the line, up stepped star Keebra Park State High fullback Connelly Lemuelu.
>
The match, played yesterday at Pizzey Park, shaped as a David and Goliath battle with Coombabah rank outsiders to the giant Keebra line-up.
>
What ensued was a tense, dramatic, see-sawing GIO Schoolboys Cup final between two talented and desperate sides.
>
Across 60 minutes the lead changed five times, before a late penalty goal to Coombabah winger Callum Boomer sent the decider into golden point.
>
Off the back of an excellent carry by Payne Haas the ball was fired to Wests Tigers-bound Lemuelu, who calmly slotted a 35m field goal to send Keebra’s huge supporter base into raptures.
>
“It’s pretty good – overwhelming,” an emotional Lemuelu told the Bulletin.
>
“Most of the boys have been waiting a few years, me myself have been waiting for two years just to make the Queensland final let alone the Australian final.
>
“We just stuck to our structure, we didn’t panic at the end and lucky for me I ended up with that final field goal.”
>
His father Konelio was in tears, having flown across from New Zealand to watch the game.
>
“I think that’s probably my good luck charm,” Lemuelu said. “Dad’s going back to New Zealand (today), Mum’s turn next week in the Australian final.”
>
Keebra last won a state title in 2013, when they went on to claim their second national crown.
>
They will play Westfields Sports High in the national final in Sydney next week.
>
Keebra coach Glen Campbell said they’ll go in confident: “We’re not going down there to run second”.
>
Prior to his field goal heroics, Lemuelu had earlier helped his side edge ahead in the 55th minute, showing an outstanding sleight of hand in a scrum-based set piece to put centre Liam Pakau through for his second try untouched.
>
The result ended Coombabah’s fairytale run which included beating heavyweights Palm Beach Currumbin State High and Kirwan State High – last year’s national winners – in consecutive matches.
>
Only millimetres prevented them progressing further, with five-eighth Taine Tuapiki’s field goal attempt into the wind in the dying minutes of regular time scraping just under the cross bar.
>
Coombabah coach Scott Marlow had special praise for standout captain Rei Rei Marsh, who carried a fractured sternum, and said the side had paved the way for future success.
>
“It’s been very difficult being the new kids on the block with Palm Beach and Keebra here so it’s been a long time coming for Coombabah but these boys have really set a great legacy for the teams that come in the future,” he said.
>
Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell was among a high-profile crowd. Six Keebra players – Lemuelu, Pakau, Oscar Tui, Liam Hampson, Kelepi Lui and captain Tom Mikaele – will join the NRL club’s under-20s 2017 squad.
Final score was 27-26\. Play Westfield Sports High next week. A prop, centre and fullback amongst the players we've secured.
Also rumoured to have Spencer Poimatagi-Purcell, Bryce Whale and Kees Nicholson under contract.
Here's also a video one of their students filmed of the moments after the golden point field goal was kicked. I think they enjoyed the win! https://youtu.be/qb0IDLTo7PY
