Panthers young gun Sunia Turuva has gone from development player to Dally M rookie-of-the-year favourite in an incredible season.
When Penrith winger Taylan May suffered a season-ending ACL injury during the World Club Challenge in February, Turuva stepped up in his place after an outstanding 2022 season which saw him named fullback in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Team of the Year.
The 21-year-old is a versatile player and came through the junior grades as a fullback. But he can play in the centres and has made his mark on the NRL as a winger after scoring nine tries during the season.
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Turuva has endured significant hurdles during his young career after his family escaped a house fire with minimal belongings in 2020 and the death of his mother in 2021.
“He has overcome a lot of personal trauma,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary told 7NEWS rugby league reporter Michelle Bishop ahead of Penrith’s qualifying final against the Warriors.
“That might have hardened him.
“He bide his time and when the opportunity came, he took it.”
Turuva said his mother would have been proud of his performances during the season.
“This whole season she would have been pretty pumped to watch me,” Turuva said about his mother.
“I just know that she will be watching over me.”
Turuva said his family “were lucky enough to get out” during the house fire and “when it all went up it was pretty crazy”.
Turuva said he is inspired by May, who won the 2022 rookie of the year award for Penrith.
“Seeing how Taylan (May) had his season last year, he got rookie of the year for Penrith,” Turuva said.
“I just had to go out each week and be myself.”
Turuva recently celebrated a personal milestone as he passed his driving test and received his red P plates, with teammate and driving instructor Spencer Leniu joking about Turuva’s driving skills.
“He has definitely had me holding onto the doors,” Leniu laughed about being Turuva’s driving instructor.
“I didn’t think this day was going to come.”
Turuva said the Panthers are looking forward to the clash against the Warriors as the side looks to continue their era of dominance and chase an NRL three-peat.
“The minor premiership is a big thing, coming first in the NRL competition,” Turuva told Panthers media after Penrith won the minor premiership last week.
“But it means nothing going forward because the finals are a different ball game and we have to switch our focus.
“It should be a good clash against the Wahs.
“They have been going well lately and we will have our hands full.”
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