Turuva to join Wests Tigers

The Penrith production line continues to produce players for other clubs with Sunia Turuva to join the Wests Tigers next season

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Sunia Turuva to link up with cousin Api Koroisau at Wests Tigers as Panthers exodus continues

The Wests Tigers have won the race for boom Panthers youngster Sunia Turuva, staving off competition from the Dragons for his signature. The Red V were originally heading the charge for the Fijian international but the Tigers have successfully swooped in, with the winger agreeing to a three-year deal worth around $450,000 a year.

While Turuva ideally wanted to stay at the foot of the mountain, he decided to test the open market after the Panthers presented him with a $350,000 per-season deal. And with a $100,000 a-season better offer, the Tigers locked him down from 2025.

Part of the allure of the Tigers for Turuva is playing under the leadership of his first cousin Api Koroisau. The hooker being at the club as well as the acquisition of Jarome Luai has helped convince Turuva that his future should be in orange and black.

AAP reports the winger informed Penrith’s playing group on Thursday morning that he would be leaving the club at the end of the year. Turuva is the latest high-profile Panther to join the Tigers, after Koroisau’s arrival last year and Luai’s signed on from 2025. While Brent Naden and Charlie Staines are also among other former Penrith players currently at the joint venture.

Sunia Turuva’s preference was to stay at Penrith

Turuva had indicated last month his preference was to stay at Penrith, where he was the NRL’s rookie of the year last season in the club’s premiership run. “I want to be part of this team. It’s a special group we’ve got here, no matter who steps into the jersey,” Turuva said at the time.

“I just want to be part of this club. I’ve left it to my manager and Penrith to organise all that stuff. But I’ve said it before – Penrith’s home. This is where I want to be.”