The Otago loosehead prop will bring up his 50th game for Otago this Saturday when the side takes on Manawatu at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Taieri prop hails from Timaru and spent three years in the Timaru Boys’ High School First XV, captaining the side in his last year.
But ambitions were not high when he left school.
"I just wanted to get away. Try somewhere new and get on with some study. Rugby wasn’t really a big thing for me then," he said.
After leaving school at the end of 2011, he headed to Dunedin, joined the Taieri club and rugby quickly become front and centre. An impressive club season was followed by selection for Otago in 2012.
He made his debut in Balclutha against Southland in a pre-season warm-up match. The game was granted first-class status as Southland was keen to get Jimmy Cowan another cap in his quest to play 100 games for the union.
"I was pretty nervous. I was up against some big names, Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh, who I had always looked up to as a kid. I was pretty nervous and stuff and I think it took me a couple of games to really got going."
"It was another level up, a big step up from high school and then again from the club stuff."
In his first season, Otago went all the way to the Championship final only to lose to Counties-Manukau.
It has been a case of so close, yet so far for Seiuli (24).
He was also part of the team which lost in the final minute to North Harbour in the Championship final last year. Injury also robbed him of the chance to play in the successful Ranfurly Shield challenge in 2013.
The loosehead prop said bringing up 50 caps did not seem to take too long and had been a lot of fun.
"You only play 10 to 12 games a year so to get to 50 so fast shows I’ve always been around. But it’s been a lot of fun. Especially in those first couple of years under Tony [Tony Brown]. We played a style of rugby that really suited me. I’ve made a few good mates over the years."
Seiuli is a ball-runner who gets around the field. He likes to get his hands on the ball and has managed to score four tries for Otago in his career.
"I think that is just from growing up. Just from playing in the backyard. Trying to be the next Jonah Lomu."
Seiuli, who hopes to have his parents in the stand on Saturday, is the middle child of of five.
His impressive form for Otago eventually helped him into the Highlanders reckoning. He played his first game for the franchise last year, coming into the squad to replace the injured Brendon Edmonds, and pushed on this season, playing 15 games for the franchise.
He has just re-signed for the Highlanders for another two years and said it was an easy decision to stay in the South.
Being an active prop always gives the suggestion the scrummaging side of his game needs some work.
"I suppose I’m not a traditional sort of prop as I run with the ball a lot. But I know I had to scrummage to be a prop. I’ve been developing it over the years. It’s taken a while but I’m getting there. I’ve had a lot of help ... just needing to find that technique and strength. To have the flexibility in the scrum. It’s time in the saddle really."
Seiuli will be one of two players who will bring up their 50th games for Otago on Saturday if selected.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather will play his 50th game after debuting for the province in 2010.
He will join his grandfather, John Anderson, who played 51 games for Otago from 1955 to 1964.