The Fiji Bati captain and 2024 Penrith Panthers Premiership winner Sunia Turuva lifted the focus from the scoreboard to the soul of the game, expressing gratitude for the passionate PNG fans and the wealth of untapped talent in the Pacific.
While upset of his side's defeat, the NRL star was visibly moved by the experience of playing in front of the enthusiastic Papua New Guinea (PNG) crowd.
"This is my second time here and I think they were even louder today," Turuva said with a smile. "They scored a try, we made mistakes, they let us know about it.”
“We love the PNG fans."
He described the scene of fans waiting for autographs long after the final whistle as a "cool" and humbling spectacle.
"Even just giving gear away, we take that stuff for granted when we see their reactions... it's a very good testimony for our players."
Resounding his coach's long-term vision, Turuva also highlighted the exciting potential within the local competitions.
Recalling a visit to a local PNG match," Turuva said.
"It was pretty exciting to see.
A lot of talent. I think it's the same for back home in Fiji."
The captain endorsed a greater scouting presence in local Fiji competitions, pointing to stars like Semi Valemei and Tui Kamikamica as success stories born from such initiatives.
"If we can have a bit of a look at the local footy... I think they'll be very surprised by who's back home in Fiji," Turuva stated, painting a hopeful picture for the future of Fijian rugby league despite the present setback.
