The Dolphins have a promising rookie in Sebastian Su’a, whose NRL aspirations are fueled by a unique sporting lineage and mentorship. The 22-year-old forward is drawing inspiration from his father, Murphy Su’a, a former Test cricketer for New Zealand and veteran prop Daniel Saifiti.
Murphy Su’a broke barriers as the first player of Samoan heritage to represent New Zealand in Test cricket. His trailblazing career paved the way for other Samoan players, including the celebrated Ross Taylor, to achieve success on the international stage. Sebastian acknowledges the challenge and honor of potentially reaching the same international level his father once did. “It is definitely a good challenge for me to get to the international level he represented,” he said. “That is a goal of mine. Having him as my father and knowing he has gone through the professional sporting area, he can guide me along the way.”
While cricket was initially an option for the New Zealand-born Sebastian, he ultimately found his passion in rugby league, drawn to its physicality. “I played cricket coming through school and for club, but I went down the rugby path. I just like the physicality,” he explained. His father, while initially pushing him towards cricket, ultimately instilled a strong work ethic that now benefits him in his rugby league career. “My dad put a lot of pressure on me out of love and wanting me to do well. That pushed me away from cricket a bit, but in hindsight I am grateful for the pressure he put on me. That has instilled good ethics in me in the rugby league space and the work ethic to get where I want to get to.”
Sebastian’s journey to the NRL wasn’t without hurdles. He secured an early release from the Newcastle Knights after conversations with Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf and senior forwards Tom Gilbert and Daniel Saifiti. He arrived at the Dolphins in March 2025, but immediately faced a setback, tearing his meniscus in his first training session. “It was my first training session when I tore my meniscus. That was pretty disappointing because I was excited,” Su’a said. The injury sidelined him for much of the year, requiring a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Despite the injury, Su’a remained committed to his recovery, supported by his teammates. “I was in rehab for the whole year but managed to get a couple of games in for Norths Devils,” he said. He has now completed a full pre-season and is eager to make his mark in the upcoming season. “All the boys here got around me and helped me get through that rehab period. Now that I am out the other side I know it was all worth it. I have only played one NRL game and am aspiring to get to that next level.”
A key factor in Su’a’s move to the Dolphins was the influence of Daniel Saifiti, a NSW prop whom he previously played with at Newcastle. “I was with Daniel at Newcastle and I was really close with him and his brother Jacob. They took me under their wing,” Su’a said. “Daniel is somebody I really trusted and when he told me about how it was up here I really trusted his word. It all felt right and somewhere I could fit in. He is really good with the younger boys who aspire to get to that level in the NRL. He is a great mentor for me.”
Murphy Su’a enjoyed a successful cricket career, playing 13 Test matches and 12 One Day Internationals, with a career-best bowling performance of 5-73 against Pakistan in 1993. Sebastian, described as a tall and mobile forward, is now focused on establishing himself in the NRL, carrying the legacy of his father’s sporting achievements and the guidance of a respected mentor in Daniel Saifiti.
