LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming match between the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers, former Panthers players Sunia Turuva and Jarome Luai are gearing up for a grudge match following their departure from the club at the end of last season.
Turuva and Luai, close friends with their former teammates, are eager to secure a win after facing three straight losses against the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, and Melbourne Storm.
The verbal sparring has already kicked off as Turuva prepares to confront his old club.
He recounted an interaction with Brian To'o, stating, "He [Brian To'o] already started it as soon as he got off the field against Parra.
He messaged me (and) already tried to play mind games, sending photos from last year of me in the Penrith jersey." This playful banter underscores the competitive spirit building between the players ahead of their showdown at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
With both teams looking to break their recent patterns-and the emotional stakes heightened by personal connections-the upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter.