He played rugby union for the United States Eagles XV's, USA Sevens, and at club level for Belmont Shore RFC, as a scrum-half or fly-half.

[3] Born in American Samoa, Suniula migrated to New Zealand at a young age, and attended Kelston Boys' High School in Auckland.

In 2004 he was selected for the New Zealand Junior Kiwis national rugby league team.

[5] During his career, Suniula was among the leading American rugby sevens players on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit in several major statistical categories, including appearances, points scored and goals kicked.

Suniula played his club rugby for Belmont Shore, and was named MVP as Belmont Shore won the USA Rugby Men's Club Sevens Championship in 2011.