The work ethic of a former Test fast bowler and the mentorship of an elite prop are inspiring Dolphins rookie Sebastian Su'a's NRL quest.
Murphy Su'a, Sebastian's father, was the first player with Samoan heritage to play Test cricket for New Zealand.
The trailblazing left-arm paceman paved the way for legend Ross Taylor, also of Samoan background, to carve out his own illustrious career for the Black Caps.
Sebastian is a tall, mobile forward who the NRL will come to know much about this year.
He looks up to Dolphins and NSW prop Daniel Saifiti, who was a major factor in his switch from Newcastle to the Dolphins.
Cricket was an early option for New Zealand-born Sebastian, but he discovered his own journey.
"I played cricket coming through school and for club, but I went down the rugby path. I just like the physicality," he said.
"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."
Murphy played 13 Tests, which included a career-best 5-73 against Pakistan in 1993, and 12 ODIs.
"It is definitely a good challenge for me to get to the international level he represented," Sebastian 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."
Su'a, 22, secured a release from the Knights a year early after conversations with coach Kristian Woolf and senior forwards Tom Gilbert and Saifiti. The culture appealed to him, with Saifiti's words striking a chord
"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."
Su'a arrived at the Dolphins in March 2025, only to suffer an injury blow.
He almost became the forgotten man of the classy forward rotation due to his absence from the field until late-season Queensland Cup games for Norths Devils.
"It was my first training session when I tore my meniscus. That was pretty disappointing because I was excited," Su'a said.
"I was in rehab for the whole year but managed to get a couple of games in for Norths Devils.
"I have had a full pre-season and am looking forward to the season ahead.
"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."
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