As negotiations with rivals get underway, off-contract flyer Sunia Turuva says it would be extremely difficult to leave Penrith and that staying with the three-time premiers is his top priority.
Turuva is among the nine Panthers whose contracts expire this year as the team continues its never-ending struggle to hang onto talent in the face of the salary cap.
Turuva is in a risky situation because Penrith re-signed centers Taylan May and Izack Tago on longer-term contracts during the last two weeks.
Turuva’s management reportedly hoped to make far more money than the $350,000 Penrith was willing to pay to retain the 2023 Dally M rookie of the year, according to a report published this week.
With their cap in such a precarious position and the annual upgrades needed, the Panthers have long maintained their position as a team that will not budge on offers.
That strategy is demonstrated by the departures of Jarome Luai, Apisai Koroisau, Stephen Crichton, and Viliame Kikau, as well as their imminent departure.
But Turuva said it had dawned on him that he did not want to leave the club after scoring a hat-trick in Thursday night’s 22-16 victory over the Sydney Roosters.
Turuva remarked, “That hit me right after the game.”
“I’d like to join this team. This group that we have here is unique. No
“I’ve given Penrith and my manager the task of organizing everything. However, I’ve already stated this: Penrith’s house. This is my desired location.”
With the family’s long-term home burning down in 2020, Turuva has made no secret of his desire to use his next deal to help buy his father a house.
However, the Fijian international is still appreciative of the Panthers’ treatment of him.
Another devastating blow was the player’s mother’s untimely death in September 2021; Penrith used that year’s premiership run to dedicate victories to the family.
Turuva stated, “That’s precisely why I resigned back in 2022.”
“They supported me during all of my difficult moments.
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