‘I wanted to stay’: Turuva knocks back PNG call to take up long-term Tigers deal

Sunia Turuva has put paid to rumours that he’d be following his Wests captain Jarome Luai over to the PNG Chiefs expansion team on a big money deal, instead committing to Benji Marshall and the Tigers rebuild by taking up a new playing deal that will see him stay in Concord until at least the end of 2030.

The extension comes soon after fellow Tigers Jahream Bula and the May brothers, Taylan and Terrell, also inked extensions to 2030. Most of that upgrade money came from Luai’s exit from the club, The Sporting Base understands. As soon as the skipper told Benji he was leaving, he and the Tigers’ recruitment team pivoted to re-signing every other star.

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Turuva was a high priority, with his retention meaning the Tigers now keep a superstar winger on their roster and have a proven back-up fullback already in the starting thirteen should Bula be out for any extended period of time.

Though there are many top-line outside backs in the NRL, Turuvua is already ranking among them after just six years in the league, having won two premierships with Penrith, scoring 45 tries in 85 games for the Tigers and the Panthers, and turning out in 10 Test matches for Fiji. He mainly plays at No.1 for his international team and has scored five tries.

And on the other side, the 23-year-old said he demanded his agent open talks as soon as he could.

“There was a bit of talk there once [Luai] left about who was going to sign with him,” Turuva told reporters Tuesday.

“Once I heard they wanted me to re-sign, I was quick to my manager to tell him I wanted to stay. I love it here. I’ve spent 18 months here, I just love this group. I love what we are building here and just seeing we’re heading in the right direction.”

Turuvua also said the quick re-signings from Bula and the May brothers also played a role, with the playing group all wanting to keep playing on together.

“All those conversations we’ve had… it is pretty cliché, but we all know what we are building here,” Turuva said.

“It is something we are loving. We all just love this group of boys and just want to stay together.”

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But, the biggest role in the re-signing sounds like it was coach Benji himself; a breath of fresh air for the Tigers playing group over the last few seasons in his young leadership role. Turuvua couldn’t speak highly enough of the Wests helmsman, who has led the squad to a 5–4 start to the season – and could maybe have done better, but for star injuries.

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“He has the banter side of things… but he only retired recently, so he knows how the game is these days,” Turuva said. “He lets us be ourselves and play how we want. I think that’s why a heap of the boys are wanting to re-sign and stay playing under Benji.”

Then, he added, “I think there will be a few more signings. Hopefully, we can keep the boys all together. ”