Panthers coach Ivan Cleary divulges real reason for Sunia Turuva omission

April 27, 2024 Viral10 News 0

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Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed that Sunia Turuva was sidelined for Saturday evening’s NRL game against the Cowboys because contract negotiations had taken an emotional toll on the winger.

Earlier this week, the Wests Tigers confirmed it had signed the 21-year-old on a three-year deal, estimated to be worth $1.3 million. The Fiji international, who has played 35 games for the Panthers since his first-grade debut in 2022, will join teammate Jarome Luai at Concord next year.

A few hours before Penrith’s 26-20 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville, Turuva was cut from the side and replaced by new recruit Paul Alamoti, with Cleary confessing the withdrawal was due to his contract situation.

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“Sunia didn’t play mainly because he was going through his contract decision and still negotiating,” Cleary told reporters during the post-match press conference.

“So it was something that has been sort of going on for a few weeks. I think people don’t quite understand how much that can take out of someone, especially a young man with such a big decision.

“Not just professionally wise but emotionally. That’s why we gave him the night off.

“He will be back next week.”

Alamoti, who played 19 games for the Bulldogs last year, ran for 181 metres and scored a vital try during the six-point victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“I thought he showed plenty,” Cleary continued.

“There’s a few things that he can learn as well. There was a huge play made on the stroke of half-time, but he ran the ball strongly, came up with some other good plays as well.

“He’s a young man learning what we value and I think he’s gonna be a good player for us.”

The Panthers, currently third on the NRL ladder, will next face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium on Thursday with kick-off scheduled for 7.50pm AEST.

Originally published as Panthers coach Ivan Cleary divulges real reason for Sunia Turuva’s surprise omission

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