Career
He played nine matches for the All Blacks including six internationals. Following World World War II, during which he saw service overseas, Sullivan became a rugby union coach, selector and administrator. He coached the Taranaki team during the late 1940s, the New Zealand under-23 side in 1958, and the All Blacks on their 1960 tour to South Africa.
He was also a Taranaki selector, a North Island selector (1952-1959) and a national selector (1954-1960).
Sullivan served on the New Zealand Rugby Union executive from 1962 to 1977, and was chairman between 1969 and 1977. In the 1978 New Year Honours he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rugby.
He died in Wellington in 1990, and was buried in Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth.