The Panthers teammates have asked new Blues coach Michael Maguire to consider Fiji Bati star Sunia Turuva for the next State of Origin series. Turuva has put up his hand for selection to NSW.
Along with Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh, Turuva, 21, is the NRL’s top try scorer thus far this season. He is competing for a spot in the NSW team after scoring nine tries in eight Penrith games as a left wing.
While he has played six Tests for Fiji, Turuva was born and raised in Sydney and the 2022 NRL rookie of the year played his junior rugby league for Berala Bears before progressing through the Panthers pathways system
“Everyone in the NRL grows up wanting to play Origin and represent their state,” Turuva said. “I was born here so I am eligible, and it has always been a dream [to represent NSW].
“Playing for Fiji, that is different. That is for my family. To represent NSW would be a whole different ball game in itself.
“A lot of people get behind State of Origin, there is so much support and pretty much the whole of Australia has eyes on that game.”
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Penrith team-mate Brian To’o is almost certain to be one Blues winger, with Josh Addo-Carr, Zac Lomax and Joseph Aukuso Suaali’I the players many expect to be in contention for the other wing spot.
However, Panthers team-mates believe Maguire should consider Turuva, who has proven safe under the high ball and averages 146.1 running metres per game this season.
“Tito is allowed to play Origin – he played all of his junior footy here and he was born here – so why not pick him,” Penrith playmaker Jarome Luai said.
“I try not to go too much into Origin selections because I just think the jersey will pick the man, but he would do a good job in that arena.”
After recently signing with Wests Tigers, where he will play alongside Luai from next season, Turuva said his main aim for 2024 was helping the Panthers to a fourth consecutive premiership – and his second after playing in last year’s grand final defeat of Brisbane.
He remarked, “I just want to get my footy right here, and I have been focusing on Penrith.” “My goal is to try and connect a few games together.”
Turuva made his NRL debut in 2022 and represented Fiji at the World Cup in England before cementing his place in the Penrith side after Taylan May ruptured his ACL in the World Cup Challenge at the start of last season.
With backup halfback Brad Schneider (knee) and star halfback Nathan Cleary (hamstring) expected to miss eight weeks of action due to injuries, Turuva selected rookie Jack Cole to start in Saturday’s game against the Wlarriors.
“Losing a teammate is never pleasant, especially when it’s Clez. This year has not been kind to him, Turuva stated. “But throughout the preseason, we saw that Coley is the man. We fully support him since he can run the ball, loves to defend, and is quite dependable.
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