How Sunia Turuva went from unknown to rookie-of-the-year contender
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Sunia Turuva remembers rocking up to Heber Park in his teenage years to attend footy clinics run by his school mate, Stephen Crichton.
“Stephen and his older brother Christian ran those sessions,” Turuva recalled. “They were just looking to get the area active, getting them out of their house. To get around a few NRL boys just training is a good experience. Even just to train with him in the area, it was pretty crazy.
“They didn’t have an ego or anything, they were from humble beginnings. They always encouraged us younger boys to come down and train with them.
“The goal was always to try and get an NRL pre-season, so why not do it with the boys that have already cracked it? I didn’t think about playing with ‘Critta’ at the time.”
Not only is he now playing alongside Crichton, Turuva is also helping to run those sessions for the next generation of aspiring Panthers. So established has the cult hero now become in the Penrith line-up that he is now in contention – alongside Tiger Jahream Bula, Bulldog Jacob Preston and Dolphin Isaiya Katoa – for Dally M rookie of the year honours.
“Jahream Bulla has been killing it. There’s a few good big names getting tossed around,” Turuva said.
Sunia Turuva is just one of a seemingly endless supply of young talent at Penrith.Credit: NRL Photos
“For my name to be tossed around out there, it’s pretty special. It’d be a pretty big thing, especially in the first [full] year of NRL.”
Crichton remembers Turuva being a standout during those training sessions at Hebersham.
“He’s been training with us ever since we started it, the whole way,” Crichton said in a previous interview. “He’s quite a character as well, it’s great to see him come through. He’s really humble about it and a good kid.”
Given that Crichton is moving to the Bulldogs at the end of this campaign, there is a chance Turuva could even be called upon to fill his position at centre. The 21-year-old has come through the grades as a fullback, can play in the centres but has made his NRL mark on the wing.
“I’ll stay ready for anywhere I’m needed in the backs,” he said. “If coach wants me to play centre, I’ll play centre. If he wants me to play wing, fullback, whatever, I’ll be keen.”
Penrith is again facing the challenge of retaining the core of its roster, with most attention focused on Jarome Luai’s next move. Like Luai, Turuva is a free agent from November 1 and likely to attract attention from cashed-up rivals.
“I haven’t really thought of it too much to be honest,” he said. “I think the goal would be to stay here at Penrith. This is home. I’ve got family, got our house here, came through the juniors here in Penrith. Whatever plans the staff have, that’s up to them.”
While Luai is sidelined with injury, Turuva has taken over the boombox duties.
“I just try to keep the energy going,” he said. “Always good vibes around the academy, coming into training.”
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
Most Viewed in Sport
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article