Sunia Turuva

Sunia Turuva

Personal information
Full name	Sunia Turuva
Born	(2002-09-04) 4 September 2002 (age 22) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height	181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	88 kg (13 st 12 lb)
Playing information
Position	Wing, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2022–24 Penrith Panthers 52 30 0 0 120 2025– Wests Tigers 0 0 0 0 0 Total 52 30 0 0 120 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2022– Fiji 7 5 0 0 20
Source: [1] As of 6 October 2024

Sunia Turuva (born 4 September 2002) is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Wests Tigers in the NRL (National Rugby League).He previously played for the Penrith Panthers, where he was a 2 time premiership winner; he has won Dally M Rookie of the year 2022. Turuva was a part of the extended squad in 2021 and 2022 till he would cement himself in the Starting 13 and go on to win the 2023 and 2024 NRL Grand Finals with the Penrith Panthers.

Background

Turuva played his junior rugby league for the Berala Bears, Before he moving to play for St.Marys Saints club in the Penrith district. Turuva played both Harold Matthew’s cup (2018), and Sg Ball cup (2020) for the Penrith Panthers before being given a train and trial contract in 2021 . He was educated at Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown.^{[ citation needed ]}. He is the cousin of Api Koroisau

Career

2022

Turuva made his international debut for Fiji, scoring two tries and running 252 metres in a 24–12 loss in the 2022 Pacific Test vs Papua New Guinea. ^[2]

In round 21 of the 2022 NRL season, Turuva made his first grade debut for Penrith against Canberra at GIO Stadium. ^[3]

Turuva spent the majority of 2022 playing for Penrith's NSW Cup team. Turuva scored two tries for Penrith in their 2022 NSW Cup Grand Final victory over Canterbury. ^[4]

On 2 October, Turuva scored a try in Penrith's 44–10 victory over Norths Devils in the NRL State Championship final. ^[5]

In October, he was named in the Fiji squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. ^[6]

In November, he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament. ^[7]

2023

On 18 February, Turuva played in Penrith's 13–12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge. ^[8] In round 5 of the 2023 NRL season, Turuva scored two tries for Penrith in their 53–12 victory over Canberra. ^[9] In round 27, Turuva scored two tries for Penrith in their 44–12 victory over North Queensland. ^[10] In the 2023 qualifying final against the New Zealand Warriors, Turuva scored two tries for Penrith in their 32–6 victory. ^[11] Turuva played 26 games for Penrith in the 2023 NRL season including the clubs 26–24 victory over Brisbane in the 2023 NRL Grand Final as Penrith won their third straight premiership. ^[12]

2024

On 24 February, Turuva played in Penrith's 2024 World Club Challenge final loss against Wigan. ^[13] In round 4 of the 2024 NRL season, Turuva scored a hat-trick in Penrith's 22-16 victory over the Sydney Roosters. ^[14] On Friday 26 April, Turuva signed a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers from the 2025 season onward. ^{[15] [16]} In round 14, Turuva scored two tries for Penrith in their 32-22 victory over Manly. ^[17] In round 23, Turuva scored two tries in Penrith's 36-34 comeback victory against Parramatta. In round 26, he scored two tries for Penrith in their 34-12 victory over South Sydney. ^[18] Turuva played a total of 23 games for Penrith in the 2024 NRL season including their 14-6 grand final victory over Melbourne. Turuva scored a first half try during the match. ^[19]

Statistics

Year	Team	Games	Tries	Pts
2022	Penrith	3	1	4
2023		26	12	48
2024		23	17	68
2025	Wests Tigers
	Totals	52	30	120

source; ^[20]

*denotes season competing

References

1. Rugby League Project
2. "Turuva remembers mum in starring debut". FBC News. 27 June 2022.
3. "'Made of steel' Edwards leads Panthers to victory as Raiders' finals hopes fade: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 August 2022.
4. "NSW Cup Grand Final 2022". www.nswrl.com.
5. "Sunia sizzles as Panthers down Devils in State Championship". www.nrl.com. 2 October 2022.
6. Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
7. Samoan domination as unlikely halfback earns No.7 jersey: WC Team of the Tournament
8. "St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'". BBC Sport. 19 February 2023.
9. "'It was a mug's comment': Kenty blasts lack of 'class and humility' at Panthers". www.foxsports.com.au. 3 April 2023.
10. "Panthers end Cowboys' season to clinch third minor premiership in four years — 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 2 September 2023.
11. "Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13–12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors". ABC News. 9 September 2023.
12. Howcroft, Jonathan (October 2023). "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". The Guardian.
13. "World Club Challenge: Wigan Warriors 16–12 Penrith Panthers – Cherry and Whites crowned world champions for fifth time". www.bbc.co.uk.
14. "NRL wrap: No stars, no worries as undermanned Panthers get it done to down Roosters". www.abc.net.au.
15. "Wests Tigers sign Fijian flyer on three-year deal". Wests Tigers. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
16. "Tigers continue Panthers poaching raid as flyer inks multi-year deal — NRL Transfer Centre". Fox Sports. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
17. "'Day of hat-tricks': Brian To'o and Tommy Talau achieve rare feat in chaotic Manly-Penrith clash". www.nine.com.au.
18. "Panthers steal victory in CRAZY finish as late Gutho miss denies devastated Eels". www.foxsports.com.au.
19. "NRL grand final 2024 quick hits: Biting allegation, Panthers halves swansong and a controversial bunker decision". www.abc.net.au.
20. "Sunia 'Tito' Turuva - Playing Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 27 April 2024.

External links

• Panthers profile
• Fiji profile