It just goes to show the difference between the different levels in rugby, because if this was a provincial grassroots competition, Sullivan would be amongst the cream of the crop with near certain selection.
Not so much in Super Rugby, but Sullivan says his time eating up minutes on the park for Waikato in Mitre 10 Cup and all the experience he has had at club level will steer him well toward making a case for more Chiefs game time.
"Super Rugby is another beast in itself but I think my time in Mitre 10 Cup is just about getting minutes under my belt and being on the paddock helps me when it comes to being out here with these guys".
The improvements Sullivan eyes are simple, executing the basics well and learning how to be "world class" in whatever position he plays when the time comes.
"I need to be clinical because being world-class is about doing all those simple things that most people tend to forget about, I think in this environment I am best suited out on the wing because you can watch how the game unfolds out wide."
Sullivan will almost certainly go under the microscope soon, so all the 21-year old can do is continue bide his time.