Dylan Napa (born 13 November 1992) is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the Sydney Roosters. Napa has previously played for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and had a previous stint with the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL), where he won the 2018 NRL Premiership. He also played for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. Through ancestry, he made three appearances for the Cook Islands in 2013. He has also played at representative level for the Prime Minister's XIII and for Queensland in the State of Origin series.
Early years
Napa was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, the son of a Cook Islands-born father and an Australian mother.
He attended St Patrick's College, Shorncliffe, and then went on to play junior football for the Brighton Roosters, North St Joeys, Aspley Devils, the Brisbane Brothers before being signed by the Sydney Roosters. Napa played for the Roosters NYC team in 2011 and 2012. Napa was named as a prop in the inaugural under 20s State of Origin match for Queensland in 2012. At the end of 2012, Napa was named on the interchange bench in the under 20s team of the year.
Napa cites Karmichael Hunt and Sonny Bill Williams as two inspirations for his playing style while growing up.
Playing career
2013
In Round 15 of the 2013 NRL season, Napa made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, playing off the interchange bench in the Roosters 20–18 win at ANZ Stadium. In his third match in round 24 against Cronulla, Napa put on one of the biggest hits of the year on Cronulla captain Paul Gallen in the Sydney Roosters 32–22 loss at Shark Park. Napa played in 7 matches for the Roosters in his debut year in the NRL in the 2013 NRL season, missing out on a grand final spot due to Luke O'Donnell recovering from injury. At the end of the season, Napa played in all three matches for the Cook Islands at the 2013 World Cup. On 30 October 2013, Napa made his Cook Islands international debut against the United States in the 32–20 loss at Memorial Stadium.
2014
On 22 February 2014, Napa played for the Roosters in their 2014 World Club Challenge match against Super League champions, the Wigan Warriors, playing off the interchange bench in the 36–14 victory at Sydney Football Stadium. Napa played in 24 matches for the Roosters in the 2014 NRL season. On 12 October 2014, Napa played for Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea, playing off the interchange bench in the 34–18 win at Kokopo.
2015
In January, Napa was a member of the newly established QAS emerging Maroons squad. In January 2015, Napa was selected in the Roosters 2015 Auckland Nines squad. In Round 2 against cross-city rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Napa scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 34–26 loss at ANZ Stadium. On 22 March 2015, Napa re-signed with the Roosters until the end of the 2017 season. Napa was included in the Queensland squad for the 2015 State of Origin series, being named as 18th man in Game 1 and Game 3. Napa finished the 2015 NRL season playing in all 27 matches and scoring 1 try for the Roosters.
2016
On 12 January 2016, Napa was again selected in the QAS emerging Maroons squad. On 5 February 2016, Napa was one of eight players from the Maroons emerging camp who was banned from representing Queensland for 12-months after breaking curfew in Brisbane. In Round 6 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Roosters 17–10 win at ANZ Stadium, Napa earned the man of the match honours after he had scored a try, completed 40 tackles and made 151 metres from 19 runs. Napa finished off the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring one try for the Roosters. On 24 September 2014, Napa played for Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea, playing off the interchange bench in the 58–0 win at Kokopo.
2017
On 17 January 2017, Napa extended his contract with the Roosters to the end of the 2019 season. After showing good form in the early rounds, Napa was selected for the Queensland Maroons squad for the 2017 State of Origin series. On 31 May 2017, Napa made his Queensland representative debut against New South Wales, starting at prop in the Maroons woeful 28–4 loss at Suncorp Stadium. Napa would start at prop in the next 2 matches as the Maroons won the series 2–1. Napa finished the 2017 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches for the Roosters.