https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...thers-negotiations-stall-20240328-p5ffz2.html
NRL rookie of the year Turuva could be on the move as Panthers negotiations stall
By Michael Chammas
March 28, 2024 — 3.45pm
NRL Rookie of the year Sunia Turuva could be on his way out of Penrith with his management set to open discussions with rival teams from next week.
Turuva, a revelation for the Panthers on the wing last year, is off contract at the end of this season and is yet to strike a deal with the reigning champions despite fellow outside backs Izack Tago and Taylan May recently securing extensions.
Penrith, who have also extended back-up centre Paul Alamoti’s contract in recent weeks, want to keep Turuva at the club but salary cap limitations have brought negotiations to a halt with the Panthers unwilling to spend more than $350,000 a season.
Turuva’s agent Mark Stewart recently met with the club to inform Penrith he would now seek expressions of interest and offers from rival clubs before returning to the Panthers to see if they can get closer to what he believes is his value on the open market.
Turuva is expected to attract offers of close to $500,000-a-season on the open market and could be squeezed out of Penrith as a result.
The Panthers are comfortable with the plan, having previously adopted a similar strategy with other players who have come back to the club with their best offers from rival teams.
Penrith couldn’t match offers on the table for Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs) and Jarome Luai (Tigers) and both signed elsewhere with the club’s blessing.
Turuva spent most of his junior football playing fullback in the Panthers’ lower grades and will be offered up to rival clubs as a potential No.1 option, having also represented Fiji in the role at the 2022 World Cup in the United Kingdom.
During the past month the Panthers have prioritised other players and extended May’s contract until the end of 2026 on a deal worth close to $1.1 million over two years.
They also moved swiftly to secure Tago’s services despite the in-form centre still contracted until the end of 2025.
Tago’s new deal will see him remain at Penrith until 2028 on a contract worth close to $3 million over four years.
Over the past few years the Panthers have lost two high-profile players each season as a result of their success and the squeeze on the team’s salary cap.
After the 2021 grand final triumph, Penrith lost Matt Burton (Bulldogs) and Kurt Capewell (Broncos).
Following their 2022 triumph over Parramatta, they then lost hooker Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) and Kikau (Bulldogs).
Last year, after the team’s third straight title win over Brisbane, the Panthers farewelled centre Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) and prop Spencer Leniu (Roosters).
At the end of this season they will say goodbye to Luai (Wests Tigers) and potentially one other player as they try to keep the nucleus of their all-conquering squad together.
The Panthers are also in discussions to extend hooker Mitch Kenny’s contract and are confident he will remain at the club despite attracting interest from St George Illawarra.
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While the salary cap is limiting Penrith’s spending capacity, they are also pondering Turuva’s value given the talent at their disposal coming through the lower grades.
Brothers Jesse (20) and Casey McLean (18) are considered future superstars of the club and are both locked in until the end of 2026.
The Newcastle Knights, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm have all been looking four outside backs. The Dragons could also enter the frame with Zac Lomax expected to be granted permission to leave in 2025, if not sooner.
The
Herald previously reported that the Dragons told Lomax’s agent that they would enter discussions with him about his future after round four. The Eels are circling and want Lomax at the club immediately as a centre.
