LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Sunia Turuva reveals that it was the gutsy performance of the Wests Tigers against Penrith in round seven that sealed the deal for him to sign with the joint venture club.
The Panthers winger, who was being pursued by the Dragons, decided to join forces with the Tigers after witnessing their impressive display on the field.
The Red V were initially leading the race to sign the Fijian international, but the Tigers managed to swoop in and secure Turuva with a lucrative three-year deal.
With his contract at Penrith expiring in 2024 and rival clubs offering more money, Turuva was a sought-after commodity in the market.
Despite being tipped to join Shane Flanagan's Dragons, the talented 21-year-old ultimately chose the Tigers due to their advancements under the coaching of Benji Marshall.
Turuva admitted that it was a tough decision between the two clubs, but Marshall's influence and the team's performance in that crucial round sealed the deal for him.
"It was a close call between the Dragons and the Tigers," Turuva shared.
"I had discussions with both teams, but ultimately, it was the Tigers who won me over." During negotiations, Turuva faced the Tigers on the field and although they were defeated by Penrith, he was impressed by their resilience and improvements under Marshall's guidance.
It was this display that convinced Turuva that the Tigers were the right fit for him going forward.