Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
Sunia Turuva remembers rocking up to Heber Park in his teenage years to attend footy clinics run by his school mate, Stephen Crichton.<\/p>\n
\u201cStephen and his older brother Christian ran those sessions,\u201d Turuva recalled. \u201cThey were just looking to get the area active, getting them out of their house. To get around a few NRL boys just training is a good experience. Even just to train with him in the area, it was pretty crazy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t have an ego or anything, they were from humble beginnings. They always encouraged us younger boys to come down and train with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal was always to try and get an NRL pre-season, so why not do it with the boys that have already cracked it? I didn\u2019t think about playing with \u2018Critta\u2019 at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only is he now playing alongside Crichton, Turuva is also helping to run those sessions for the next generation of aspiring Panthers. So established has the cult hero now become in the Penrith line-up that he is now in contention \u2013 alongside Tiger Jahream Bula, Bulldog Jacob Preston and Dolphin Isaiya Katoa \u2013 for Dally M rookie of the year honours.<\/p>\n
\u201cJahream Bulla has been killing it. There\u2019s a few good big names getting tossed around,\u201d Turuva said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sunia Turuva is just one of a seemingly endless supply of young talent at Penrith.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>NRL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cFor my name to be tossed around out there, it\u2019s pretty special. It\u2019d be a pretty big thing, especially in the first [full] year of NRL.\u201d<\/p>\n Crichton remembers Turuva being a standout during those training sessions at Hebersham.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been training with us ever since we started it, the whole way,\u201d Crichton said in a previous interview. \u201cHe\u2019s quite a character as well, it\u2019s great to see him come through. He\u2019s really humble about it and a good kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Given that Crichton is moving to the Bulldogs at the end of this campaign, there is a chance Turuva could even be called upon to fill his position at centre. The 21-year-old has come through the grades as a fullback, can play in the centres but has made his NRL mark on the wing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stay ready for anywhere I\u2019m needed in the backs,\u201d he said. \u201cIf coach wants me to play centre, I\u2019ll play centre. If he wants me to play wing, fullback, whatever, I\u2019ll be keen.\u201d<\/p>\n Penrith is again facing the challenge of retaining the core of its roster, with most attention focused on Jarome Luai\u2019s next move. Like Luai, Turuva is a free agent from November 1 and likely to attract attention from cashed-up rivals.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t really thought of it too much to be honest,\u201d he said. \u201cI think the goal would be to stay here at Penrith. This is home. I\u2019ve got family, got our house here, came through the juniors here in Penrith. Whatever plans the staff have, that\u2019s up to them.\u201d<\/p>\n While Luai is sidelined with injury, Turuva has taken over the boombox duties.<\/p>\n \u201cI just try to keep the energy going,\u201d he said. \u201cAlways good vibes around the academy, coming into training.\u201d<\/p>\n Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on <\/b>9Now<\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n