Family and Fiji: Sunia Turuva looking to turn Panthers form into World Cup success

The 20-year-old Panthers winger made his NRL debut, represented Fiji for the first time in the mid-year Test, signed a contract upgrade with the Panthers, and was a cornerstone in the side’s NSW Cup and State Championship titles.

Turuva was due a run of good luck after the couple of years he’s had.

Born and raised in Auburn before moving to Saint Marys when he was 11, Turuva’s family lost their home in a fire in 2020.

Still reeling from the house fire, Turuva’s mum passed away just over a year ago.

Making an awful situation worse were the severe Covid lockdown restrictions in place in western Sydney last year.

When people ask what has made the Panthers so successful over the past three years, look no further than the club’s response to what Turuva went through in 2020 and 2021.

“We had the house fire two years ago, then mum passed last year, and I can’t thank Penrith enough for everything they did for me and my family,” Turuva tells CODE Sports after Penrith’s 44-10 State Championship win over Norths Devils.

“Coach Ivan (Cleary) was one of the first to message, and I can’t thank him enough.

“The club was dropping off food packages and gym equipment to my house as well.

“When mum passed, we were all in a Covid bubble, but Ben Harden and Glen Liddiard were dropping food and gym gear off at the house. I just had to grab it and bring it inside.”

A star on the rise, Turuva was on the radar of a few clubs looking for a tryscoring winger for next year, but his loyalty remained with Penrith.

On a development deal in 2022, he signed a contract upgrade in August that will see him remain at the club until at least the end of 2024.

“I had a few clubs come in, but it was good to re-sign back home,” he says.

“The Panthers have done so much for me and my family, and we’ve been through a fair bit.

“They’ve been with me through it all so I can’t thank them enough.”

After making his NRL debut off the bench against the Raiders in round 21, Turuva scored his first top grade try against the Cowboys in what was, essentially, a Panthers NSW Cup team in the last game of the regular season.

He capped off a remarkable NSW Cup season with 13 tries in 20 appearances, including two in the decider against the Bulldogs.

Maintaining that momentum into the State Championship game at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Turuva had an early try disallowed, but crossed the chalk with the last play of the game.

He’ll have a couple of days to celebrate before heading off to England for Fiji’s World Cup campaign on Friday.

Having celebrated his Test debut with two tries in Fiji’s defeat to Papua New Guinea in June, Turuva is looking forward to once again representing his family on the world stage.

“It’s a good chance to represent my country again,” he says.

“Running out to everyone from Fiji cheering you on in the mid-season Test – even though we didn’t get the win – it’s something I’ll never forget.

“My dad was sending me videos of live streams and videos of the reactions of everyone back in Fiji as well.

“I had so much family from mum and dad’s side all wearing t-shirts. My family were there through all the adversity over the last couple of years as well.”

Turuva will be one of a number of Panthers players representing Pasifika nations at the World Cup, and says players like Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton and Jerome Luai opting to play for Samoa paved the way for others to follow suit.

“There’s a few of us who will be representing our countries for the first time. Izack Tago and Taylan May will be representing Samoa for the first time,” he says.

“It’s good to see those boys come up through the juniors together and get this far. It’s always a different feeling representing your country. I’m representing a lot of people: Family, myself and Penrith as well.

“With Bizza pledging his allegiance, then Critta and Romey, now other boys like Junior Paulo picking the motherland, their homeland and representing the families back home.

“It’s good to see.”