Howell writes that following state selection at such a young age, he found himself a marked man at club level and "injuries followed, his form deteriorated and his confidence with it"[2] He did not represent again until 1970.
In the mid 1970s he coached and was Physical Education teacher at Glenwood Boys High School in Durban South Africa.
[4] He led the Wallabies on the 1973 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, and played in six of the nine matches including the Test loss against Wales.
Howell writes that he was "a vigorous, aggressive player who played to the maximum when wearing the green and gold".
[4] Keen to secure his family's financial future Sullivan signed a five-year contract with the St George Dragons at the end of the 1973 season.