'Capable of big things': Su'A vows to step up in hour of need
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The hype has been in overdrive for years but only now Jaydn Su'A is ready to live up to the expectations that have followed him ahead of South Sydney's biggest hour of need.
The retirements of Sam Burgess and John Sutton in the back row leave the Bunnies light on edge forwards with Su'A and Ethan Lowe the only recognised players in the squad.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has named Su'A and Cameron Murray in the back row for Saturday night's Charity Shield clash against the Dragons in Mudgee.
Murray's move to the edge helps accommodate an ankle injury to Lowe, but many pundits believe he's far more valuable in the middle.
After four years of NRL experience, Su'A wants to make Bennett's life easier in 2020 after he showed faith and recruited the former Bronco to Redfern last year.
"I'm sick of after every pre-season everyone saying it's a big year for me and I don't deliver," Su'A told NRL.com.
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"It's not about wanting to shut everyone up but I just want to try and play consistently. I've always thought I'm capable of big things but just haven't delivered.
"I just want to play some footy. It's been a big pre-season for myself and I've really emphasised being better every day. I haven't knuckled down on a pre-season like this before."
Su'A was understandably a busy man at the club's full squad media session earlier this week with a jury out on the Rabbitohs' engine room.
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His arrival to Redfern last June came with big wraps but was abrupt and it took him a while to settle into Sydney.
"It was chaotic when I got here, it was all happening and messed with me a little bit but my brother and partner are now here and I just got a new dog that's made me feel more settled," Su'A said.
"I got a chocolate labrador and named him Gohan – off Dragons Ball Z – so life's good off the field."
How to fill the void of Burgess and Sutton's departure will be Su'A's big focus with the pair remaining part of the Rabbitohs coaching staff.
"They have mentored me throughout the pre-season so now it's about getting out there and putting it to work," Su'A said.
"They've got a lot of leadership qualities and it does rub off on you. Whenever they tell me to change something I listen. With the leadership group we have we're sweet."
