Jaydn Su'A

Jaydn Su’A is regarded as one of the NRL's toughest defenders, a man in the mould of legendary tacklers Tonie Carroll, Trevor Gillmeister, Ben Te'o and Peter Ryan.

Su'A was born in Auckland, but the family moved to Australia when he was two. He played his junior football with Logan Brothers and attended Marsden State High and then Anglican Church Grammar, where he also played rugby union.

Su'A played centre in the Queensland Under 16 team in 2013, and then second row in the Queensland under 18 team two years later, when he played with Souths Logan Magpies, as well as the Broncos National Youth Competition side. Su’A captained the Queensland Under 20 side in 2016 and was named player of the match in the Junior Kangaroos' 34-20 win over the Junior Kiwis, in Parramatta.

To win it (the 2020 Origin series) was an unreal feeling I will hold with me forever.

Jaydn Su'A FOG #211

Su'A also made his NRL debut in Round 12, 2016, aged 18, becoming the youngest Broncos forward to start and play the full 80 minutes. Su’A played 31 games for the club, before taking up an opportunity to join South Sydney Rabbitohs mid-way through the 2019 season, re-uniting with his former Broncos coach, Wayne Bennett. In 2019 he also played a one-off Test for Samoa against Papua New Guinea.  

It was his form throughout the 2020 NRL season that saw Su’A selected in the Queensland Maroons squad. He made his State of Origin debut, off the bench, in Game I at Adelaide Oval, and retained his spot for the entire series. He also played in Game I of the 2021 series.

Su'A played second row for Souths in their 14-12 loss to Penrith in the 2021 NRL grand final at Suncorp Stadium. He finished off a huge year representing Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup, including the Final against Australia. Su'A then joined St George Illawarra on a three-year deal. 

Su'A made 13 appearances for the Dragons during in what was a underwhelming season for the club in 2023 finishing 16th.

The Dragons forward turned his form around in 2024, having a career best year for the club scoring 9 tries in 22 games, and also returning to the Origin arena playing two games for the Maroons in their series defeat to the Blues. In his third season with the Red V, Su’A claimed his maiden Dragons Medal as the NRL side's Player of the Year.