'I was just thinking of filling in during Origin': Sunia Turuva's amazing journey from reggies to Rookie of the Year

If Penrith Panthers players are supposed to be arrogant, then Sunia Turuva seems to have missed the memo.

The diminutive winger has lit up the NRL this year, earning himself a nomination for Rookie of the Year at Wednesday night’s Dally M Awards, but could not be more humble about his nomination and his breakout year in first grade.

Indeed, speaking to The Roar ahead of a massive week that ends with his first ever Grand Final appearance, the Fijian international – who played in last year’s NSW Cup showpiece – said that he had only ever expected to be a fill-in in 2023 – until incumbent Taylan May did his knee.

“I was just thinking of filling in during Origin period, to be honest, and then Taylan went down,” said Turuva.

“I’m just trying to take every week at a time. If I look too far ahead of myself, that’s where I go wrong and performing badly. 

“I’m trying to keep my week as normal, not trying to change anything. 

Especially for myself in my first Grand Final, that’s where I’d go wrong if I tried to change anything or do something that I wouldn’t normally do.”

As for Rookie of the Year, he was happy to even be on the list, along with Will Warbrick and Jahream Bula, another Fijian phenom. 

Turuva has never met Bula, though it would be a surprise if both weren’t named in the Bati squad for the upcoming Tests in Papua New Guinea, with the pair competing for the fullback jersey.

“I’m truly grateful and blessed,” said the Panthers star. 

“Just to have my name tossed around with those other guys, Bula and Warbrick, seeing the season they’ve had as well, I’m heaps grateful. 

“The way Jahream came onto the scene this year is pretty special. I know where the Tigers finished but what he’s been able to do there is pretty cool.”

Before the Tests comes the Grand Final, and Turuva is unusual in this Panthers outfit as this will be his first. 

With the bulk of the squad going into their fourth, he revealed that he had been leaning on teammates to help him through, particularly Isaah Yeo. 

“Yeoy was touching on it, saying in the lead-up you don’t change anything,” explained Turuva. 

“Just try to keep everything the same – but obviously it’s a big occasion and there’s a lot to play for come gameday.

“The ‘Hunting History’ thing is out and everyone is talking about the Threepeat, but for us, we have to take it a week at a time. 

“Now here at the Grand Final, that’s massive for us and, especially for myself, because everyone else has played the last three or four.

“For myself, I try to enjoy the week and enjoy the occasion, and embrace the challenge.”

Turuva’s story is well-known, with the winger overcoming he death of his mother during Covid and a housefire at his home in Western Sydney to make the World Cup with Fiji and an NRL debut in 2022.

It’s that experience that keeps him humble, as well as his best mates in the team, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu – both of whom will play their last games for Penrith this Sunday before leaving for the Bulldogs and Roosters respectively.

“I’m real close with Spenny and Critta, we’re a tight group,” he said. “I’ve got people to keep me grounded. 

“But even stuff like that with the house and what happened away from footy, it does keep me grounded. 

“Knowing where I’ve come from and what’s happened to me, it’s pretty massive.”

When they go, Turuva will have to step up as one of the more senior players in the team. It suits him: indeed, when he debuted, Jarome Luai joked that he had taken over the role of CEO – Chief Energy Officer – from him and Samoan teammate Brian To’o.

Turuva laughed off that suggestion – though the music from the sheds often now has a notably Fiijian flavour – but said that he could do his bit for the mood.

“It’s still Romey!” he insisted. “It’s Romey and Biz, and Critta comes in with his own boombox that he comes in with into training. 

“Whenever you don’t hear the speaker around here at training, something’s wrong.

“I’m just trying to be myself, my loud self, and bring good vibes and good energy.”