3 minute read

Fiji were beaten by Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Test but the emergence of young fullback Sunia Turuva has given them reason to celebrate.

Fiji vice-captain Tui Kamikamica has tipped young fullback Sunia Turuva as a star of the future after a breakout performance in the 24-14 Test loss to Papua New Guinea.

Turuva was Fiji's best player at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday night, recording more run metres (252) and more post-contact metres (97) than anyone to go with his two tries.

Contracted with Penrith until 2024, Turuva has yet to make his NRL debut and is stuck behind Dylan Edwards in the fullback stakes at the Panthers.

But Kamikamica says Turuva is primed to impress in the NRL once he gets his chance.

"He saved a couple of tries there, he was always putting his body on the line for us," he said.

"Tonight we were always confident he was going to catch the high balls even though there were people contesting for the ball.

"To see a fullback doing stuff like that, it gave us a lot of confidence. He's going to be a very good player in the future."

Fiji coach Joe Dakuitoga was equally pleased with Turuva's performance.

"Today was his first game for Fiji Bati," he said.

"The way he was catching balls from the back and running the kick returns, it was amazing to see him play the way he did today."

"I was very impressed."

Dakuitoga said the absence of Canterbury playmaker Brandon Wakeham hurt his side, especially in attack at the end of sets.

"Kevin (Naiqama) was playing in the halves today because of Brandon Wakeham's suspension," Dakuitoga said.

"We'll try to work on that to prepare ourselves for the World Cup.

"It was good build-up for us for the World Cup. We didn't get the job done but both teams played very well today."