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Moses Suli
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Mosese "Moses" Suli (born 9 June 1998) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and winger for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Key Information
Suli previously played for the Wests Tigers, was signed by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs before his contract was terminated ahead of the 2018 NRL season for repeated indiscretions during pre-season, he then joined Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Background
[edit]Suli was born in Geelong Crescent in St John's Park Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia. He is of Tongan descent.[2]
He played his junior rugby league for Fairfield United. He was then signed by the Wests Tigers. Suli later said, "I got axed by Parra in Harold Matthews when I was 16. They actually wanted me back but I just didn’t want to go back. I just said I wasn’t interested. I was going good at the Tigers and I just wanted to stay here."[3]
Playing career
[edit]2016
[edit]In 2016, Suli played for the Wests Tigers' NYC team.[4]
2017
[edit]In January, Suli re-signed with the Tigers on a three-year contract until the end of 2020.[5]
In round 1 of the 2017 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Tigers against the South Sydney Rabbitohs,[6][7] scoring a try.[8] The Daily Telegraph said, "Apart from owning wonderful speed, footwork and vision, Suli is also larger than your favourite reality TV star’s ego. Truly, this young bloke is the real deal. A genuine Next Big Thing."[9]
2018
[edit]On January 31, Suli was released by the Wests Tigers. It was reported that Suli would only attend training sessions for five minutes, and would sleep in a teammates car while the team was training.[10]
He was quickly signed by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. However, 28 days later, his new contract was terminated by the Belmore-based club following repeated indiscretions.[11] It was revealed he had been given two warnings in his first two weeks at the club.[12]
Suli subsequently joined Manly-Warringah, making his debut in round 9. By round 14, he had been dropped again after misplacing his passport and missing training in New Zealand.[13]
2019
[edit]On 2 April, Suli was dropped from the Manly side for the club's Round 4 match against South Sydney for failing to meet the club's disciplinary standards.[14]
Suli made a total of 22 appearances for Manly and scored 6 tries as the club finished 6th on the table and qualified for the finals. Suli played in both finals games for the club and scored a try in each match as they were eliminated in the semi-final by South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.[15][16][17]
2020
[edit]In round 16, Suli was taken from the field during Manly's 56-16 loss against South Sydney. He was later ruled out for the rest of the season with injury. He made a total of 13 appearances for Manly scoring two tries.[18]
2021
[edit]In round 22, Suli came on as 18th man in Manly's 56-10 victory over Parramatta and scored two tries.[19]
Suli played a total of 13 games for Manly in 2021, including the club's preliminary final loss against South Sydney. On 6 October, he was released early from his contract to join St. George Illawarra.[20]
2022
[edit]Suli made his club debut for St. George Illawarra in round 1 of the 2022 NRL season against the New Zealand Warriors. On 19 July, it was confirmed that Suli had suffered a leg injury and would be told that he would return during the NRL Finals.[21]
Suli played 17 games for the club throughout 2022 as they finished 10th on the table and missed the finals for a fourth straight season.[22]
In October he was named in the Tonga squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[23]
2023
[edit]In round 10 of the 2023 NRL season, Suli was responsible for one of the bombed tries of the year with one minute remaining as St. George Illawarra lost 16-18 against the bottom placed Wests Tigers. The ball had found Suli with an unmarked Mikaele Ravalawa on his outside. Suli elected to run the ball but then attempted a flick pass which went to ground. Ravalawa picked up the loose ball but was then bundled into touch..[24][25] A week later he scored the opening try for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in a 95 m effort against the Sydney Roosters in their 24-22 win. Suli played a total of 22 games in the 2023 NRL season as St. George Illawarra finished 16th on the table.[26]
2024
[edit]Suli played 19 games for St. George Illawarra in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table.[27]
2025
[edit]Suli played 20 matches for St. George Illawarra in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished a disappointing 15th on the table, with Suli managing only a single try all season.[28]
Statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tries | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 |  Wests Tigers
|
16 | 2 | 8 |
| 2018 |  Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
|
15 | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 | 22 | 6 | 24 | |
| 2020 | 13 | 2 | 8 | |
| 2021 | 17 | 3 | 12 | |
| 2022 |  St. George Illawarra Dragons
|
17 | 5 | 20 |
| 2023 | 22 | 2 | 8 | |
| 2024 | 19 | 3 | 12 | |
| 2025* | 20 | 1 | 4 | |
| Totals | 157 | 25 | 100 |
* denotes season still competing
source;[29]
References
[edit]- ^ "Mosese Suli - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
- ^ Proszenko, Adrian (4 February 2017). "Wests Tigers wonder kid Mosese Suli doing it for his late father". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ Matt Encarcion (10 April 2017). "Wests Tigers winger Moses Suli knocked back Parramatta's offer to return". Fox Sports.
- ^ "S". NYC Database. 27 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Moses Suli commits to Wests Tigers - Tigers". Go1.weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Updated team lists: Rabbitohs v Tigers". NRL.com. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Late Changes: NRL Round 1 vs. Rabbitohs - Tigers". Weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Tedesco-inspired Tigers smash Souths". NRL.com. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ Nick Walshaw. "Moses Suli stars with brilliant debut in Tigers victory over South Sydney". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Michael Chammas (28 February 2018). "Suli failed to respond to Bulldogs warnings". nrl.com.
- ^ "Moses Suli released by Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs".
- ^ "Sleeping in a car at training: The bizarre decline of Moses Suli". Fox Sports.
- ^ Adrian Proszenko. "Suli axed for missing training ... again". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Moses Suli dropped by Manly for failure to meet discipline standards". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ "South Sydney Rabbitohs beat Manly Sea Eagles 34-26 in NRL semi-final". ABC News. 20 September 2019.
- ^ "Rabbitohs dig deep to eliminate Sea Eagles in finals thriller". NRL. 20 September 2019.
- ^ "Under-strength Sea Eagles send Sharks packing". NRL. 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Manly Sea Eagles centre Moses Suli ruled out for season with foot injury". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ "Eels star's season could be over as 'shocking' high shot earns a HUGE suspension". www.foxsports.com.au. 15 August 2021.
- ^ "Sea Eagles farewell departing players". www.seaeagles.com.au. 5 October 2021.
- ^ "Storm's Papenhuyzen fears confirmed as Sharks flyer cops brutal blow: NRL Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "NRL 2022: St George Illawarra Dragons season review". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
- ^ "Magic Round: Gold Coast Titans beat Parramatta 26-24, Nth Queensland Cowboys down Sydney Roosters 20-6, Wests Tigers beat St George illawarra 18-16". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "NRL Magic Round: Dragons suffer fifth-straight loss as Ben Hunt slams 'dumb' performance against Tigers". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ "Hunt call that could define Flanagan era; glaring hole that must be filled: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "The Mole's end-of-season review: 'Bullies' exposed as big-money Dragons forward called out". www.nine.com.au.
- ^ "Cleary masterclass as epic battle with former Panthers superstar locked in after big win". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "Moses Suli". St George Illawarra Dragons. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
External links
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Moses Suli
View on GrokipediaEarly life and background
Personal background
Moses Suli was born on 9 June 1998 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[7][8] Of Tongan descent through both parents, Suli grew up in Sydney's western suburbs, immersed in a community rich with rugby league tradition.[2][9] His father, Manu, a former player in Tonga, instilled a love for the sport from infancy, encouraging Suli to take up rugby league at age five and fostering his early development in the game.[9] Following Manu's death in 2013 when Suli was 15, he briefly quit the sport for five months amid grief but returned with renewed determination, supported by his mother and siblings, to honor his family's expectations.[9] This familial influence shaped his commitment to rugby league, leading him to local junior clubs in the Fairfield area.[8]Junior career
Moses Suli began his junior rugby league career playing for Fairfield United in local competitions in New South Wales.[1] At age 16, Suli trialed with the Parramatta Eels' Harold Matthews Cup under-17s team but was released from the program.[10] Despite Parramatta later expressing interest in re-signing him within six months, Suli chose to remain with the Wests Tigers, where he had already been recruited as a promising teenager.[10] With the Tigers' junior pathways, Suli progressed through the Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup under-17s and under-19s squads, showcasing his physical attributes including his 189 cm height, powerful build, and exceptional speed for a centre.[11] These performances in limited under-20s National Youth Competition (NYC) appearances—only two games—drew significant attention from scouts, highlighting his potential as a damaging ball-runner despite his youth.[12]Club career
Wests Tigers
Moses Suli progressed through the Wests Tigers' junior pathways, playing in the club's National Youth Competition (NYC) team in 2016, where he showcased his potential as a powerful centre.[13] Ahead of the 2017 NRL season, the Wests Tigers secured Suli on a lucrative three-year contract worth approximately $1.3 million, recognizing his untried but highly anticipated talent at just 18 years old.[14] Suli made his NRL debut in Round 1 of the 2017 season against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium, starting on the wing and delivering an impressive performance by creating two tries and scoring one of his own in a 34-18 victory for the Tigers.[12] He went on to play 16 games that season, primarily as a centre or winger, scoring a total of two tries while contributing to the team's backline with his speed and physicality during an early-season push that included wins in Rounds 1 and 6.[15] However, as a young player adapting to the professional level, Suli faced challenges in maintaining consistency amid the pressures of NRL demands, including occasional defensive lapses and the need to build greater tactical awareness in high-stakes games.[16] At the conclusion of the 2017 season, the Wests Tigers released Suli from the final two years of his contract on January 31, 2018, citing concerns over his attitude and professionalism.[17] Shortly after, he signed a three-year deal with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, but was released by the club on February 28, 2018, without making any senior appearances, due to repeated disciplinary issues such as tardiness to training and failure to meet fitness standards.[18]Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Moses Suli joined the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in mid-2018 after being released by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs earlier that year, marking his third NRL club following an unstable start to his professional career with the Wests Tigers.[19][6] He debuted for Manly in Round 9 and went on to play 15 games that season, scoring 1 try while primarily featuring as a centre.[3] In 2019, Suli established himself as a key backline player, appearing in 22 games and scoring 6 tries, with his powerful running and line-breaking ability contributing to Manly's push into the finals series.[3][20] He scored in both playoff matches, including a try in the elimination final victory over the Cronulla Sharks and another in the semi-final loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, where he recorded 147 running metres and 11 tackle breaks.[21][22] His performances that year highlighted his growth into a consistent outside back, often deployed at centre or wing.[20] The 2020 season was disrupted for Suli by a mid-season Lisfranc foot injury sustained in August, which sidelined him for three months and limited him to 13 games and 2 tries overall.[3][23] Despite the setback, he demonstrated resilience in recovering and maintaining his role in Manly's backline.[24] Suli played 13 games in 2021, scoring 3 tries, and featured in Manly's preliminary final loss to South Sydney, underscoring his contributions to the team's deep playoff run.[3][25] His versatility across centre and wing positions was evident throughout his four-year stint, amassing 63 games and 12 tries for the club before being granted a release from the final year of his contract at the end of the season.[3][26]St. George Illawarra Dragons
Following his early release from the final year of his contract with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Moses Suli signed a three-year deal with the St. George Illawarra Dragons ahead of the 2022 NRL season.[26] In his debut season with the Dragons, Suli featured in 17 games and scored 5 tries, establishing himself as a powerful outside back. However, his campaign was interrupted by a high-grade syndesmosis ankle injury sustained in round 18 against the Cronulla Sharks in July, which ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season.[7][27] Suli's 2023 season saw improved consistency, playing 22 games and crossing for 2 tries, including a long-range effort from a defused bomb in the Dragons' 24-22 upset victory over the Sydney Roosters in round 12. The following year, in 2024, he appeared in 19 matches and notched 3 tries, contributing to the team's push toward the finals that ultimately fell short.[7][28] By 2025, Suli had solidified his role as a key centre for the Dragons, playing all 20 games and scoring 1 try while providing 8 try assists and averaging a career-high 149 run metres per match. Defensively, he made 206 tackles at a 93% efficiency rate, helping to mitigate some of the team's broader inconsistencies amid a challenging season marked by injuries and erratic performances. The Dragons finished 15th on the NRL ladder with just 8 wins, extending their finals drought.[7][1][29][30] Suli's commitment to the club was affirmed in December 2023 when he signed a three-year contract extension, securing his place until the end of the 2027 season.[31]International career
Tonga representative team
Moses Suli qualified to represent Tonga through his heritage, as he was born in Sydney to parents of Tongan descent.[32] He made his international debut for the Mate Ma'a Tonga on 6 May 2017 against Fiji in a Pacific Test match, coming off the bench in a 26-24 victory.[2] This appearance marked the start of his contributions to a Tongan side that was beginning to emerge as a competitive force in international rugby league, building on successes like their 2017 Rugby League World Cup quarter-final run.[3] Over his international career, Suli has appeared in 10 Test matches for Tonga from 2017 to 2024, scoring one try—his sole try coming in his debut against Fiji in 2017.[33] His selections often reflected strong club form, particularly during his time at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, which helped secure his spots in key squads. Suli's reliability as a centre provided defensive solidity and ball-carrying presence, aiding Tonga's physical style that propelled them to historic wins, such as defeating Australia in the 2019 Oceania Test.[3] Suli was included in Tonga's squad for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, where he played three group-stage and knockout matches, helping the team advance to the quarter-finals before a narrow loss to Samoa. In these games, he recorded 36 ball receipts, completed 33 tackles at an 84.6% efficiency rate, and amassed 478 running metres, underscoring his role in maintaining structure amid Tonga's aggressive attacking play.[34] His performances contributed to Tonga's elevated status, as the team finished fourth overall and established themselves as a top-tier nation capable of challenging the traditional powers like Australia and New Zealand.[35] Suli was named in the squad for the 2025 Pacific Championships but did not feature due to injury.[36] His most recent representative appearances came in 2024 during the Pacific Championships, where he featured in two Tests, including a hard-fought 0-18 loss to Australia in the opener. These matches capped a representative career that spanned eight years and aligned with Tonga's continued push toward sustained excellence on the international stage.[33]Career statistics
Professional statistics
Moses Suli has played 157 professional games in the National Rugby League (NRL), scoring 25 tries for a total of 100 points, with no goals recorded.[3] His career spans three clubs, with a breakdown of 16 games and 2 tries for the Wests Tigers, 63 games and 12 tries for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, and 78 games and 11 tries for the St. George Illawarra Dragons as of the end of the 2025 season.[3] Internationally, he has represented Tonga in 10 Test matches, scoring 1 try.[3] The following table summarizes Suli's NRL appearances, tries, and points by season and club:| Season | Club | Games | Tries | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Wests Tigers | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| 2018 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 15 | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 22 | 6 | 24 |
| 2020 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 13 | 2 | 8 |
| 2021 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 13 | 3 | 12 |
| 2022 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 17 | 5 | 20 |
| 2023 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 22 | 2 | 8 |
| 2024 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 19 | 3 | 12 |
| 2025 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 20 | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 157 | 25 | 100 |