Queensland rugby union prop Cruz Lemming says he won’t be sidelined by hearing loss

On any given day, 15-year-old Cruz Lemming can be found in the gym or on the footy field, earning his place on the Nudgee College rugby union open team.

Under bright-coloured headgear are two cochlear implants that help him interpret sounds, but profound hearing loss won’t stop the prop playing his best rugby.

In 2019 and at just 14 years old, Cruz was selected in Queensland’s 15 years and under rugby union side, catching the eye of keen Brisbane scouts who later offered him a scholarship to the private college.

“I’ve never been down on myself just because I have slightly worse hearing. I’ve got the devices that make me hear, and I am hearing normally,” he said.