Talent factory: Chiefs set to boost Pacific pathways
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Fiji Bati star Sunia Turuva believes the introduction of the PNG Chiefs is set to open up more pathways for players from the Pacific nations to the NRL.
The Chiefs will join the NRL in 2028 and Turuva said the Pacific Bowl in Port Moresby had showed that there was enough young talent for the PNG team.
The Kumuls retained the Pacific Bowl for the third successive season after beating Fiji 50-18 with a side containing an all PNG-born and bred spine of fullback Morea Morea, five-eighth Gairo Voro, halfback Finley Glare and hooker Edwin Ipape.
Morea Morea Try
Morea, Voro and Glare are aged 22, and Kumuls coach Jason Demetriou also blooded winger Dudley Dotoi, the leading tryscorer in the Queensland Cup, and 18-year-old Titans prop Cooper Bai.
The Bati also had seven players make their Test debuts during the tournament and Turuva said they were just an example of the emerging Fijian talent.
“It’s very exciting. There’s plenty of talent,” Turuva said. “When we came two weeks ago, we watched some of your local footy and that was pretty exciting to see.
"I think it’s the same back home in Fiji. If more scouts watched our local games, they’d be surprised by the talent waiting there.”
The 24-year-old winger noted that several top Fijian players, including Viliame Kikau, Semi Valemei and Apisai Koroisau, had come from humble beginnings in local competitions.
Turuva and Bati coach Wise Kativerata believe more could follow the same path if Pacific players continue to be given opportunities.
“Coach talked about how players like Semi, Kikau, and Tui started back home. If scouts take a closer look, I think we’d see even more names coming through,” Turuva said.
Kitione Kautoga Tries from Papua New Guinea vs Fiji
Asked about a potential move to the PNG Chiefs in 2028, Turuva said he is focused on his current club and wants to show loyalty to West Tigers.
“For now, I’m happy with the Tigers. I’ve still got a couple more years left, and I’m just focusing on what’s ahead,” he said.
Yet whether it’s in Suva or Port Moresby, he said there was something special about playing in front of fans who live and breathe rugby league.
“The passion here is unreal. Every time I play in PNG, it feels like home,” he said.
When the full-time siren blew at the Santos National Football Stadium last Saturday, Turuva didn’t rush off the field. Instead, he stayed back soaking in the noise and the chants of his Papua New Guinea fans.
Playing in Papua New Guinea is not just another international fixture, it’s an unforgettable experience for Turuva.
The Fijian international said his second trip to Port Moresby was even louder and more electric than the first.
Turuva takes to the stage
“This is my second time here and I think they went even louder,” he said.
“They scored a try, we made mistakes, and they let us know about it. We love the PNG fans. They hang around for hours after the game, cheering and taking photos. It’s cool to see how passionate they are when it comes to rugby league.
“Even when we’re out on promotions, people come up excited. We give away jerseys or boots, and their reactions are amazing.
"It’s a reminder not to take things for granted. We’re just grateful and blessed to come back here."
Michaael Philip is a rugby league reporter with The National newspaper in Papua New Guinea.
