From catching a 4.57am train to shining in the NRL: Meet Dolphins forward Connelly Lemuelu

In 2016 Lemuelu, who faces St George Illawarra in Wollongong on Saturday night, was a schoolboy star attending Gold Coast rugby league powerhouse Keebra Park High School.

Credit: Getty ImagesHe would be driven each day to Altandi train station in Brisbane’s south to catch the 4.57am train to the Gold Coast where schoolmates - current Gold Coast Titans David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika, along with Warrington’s Thomas Mikaele - would join him for the ride.

Titans half Tanah Boyd, Roosters outside back Jaxson Paulo and Brisbane’s Payne Haas were also in that Keebra Park First XIII squad that made the national GIO Schoolboy Cup final that year.

“(The Cowboys) have a good, young team but to come down here and learn off premier back-rowers like Felise (Kaufusi) and Kenny Bromwich got me across the line to sign here,” he said.

The Auckland-born forward and his partner welcomed son Rome two months ago, who got to see his dad score in the Dolphins’ inaugural match against the Roosters.

“It was my son’s first game and my parents came across from New Zealand and it was their first time watching me live playing NRL ... a moment I’ll cherish forever.”