Me-versus-me: why To’o is now the hunter at Penrith
Scott Bailey |
For the first time in almost six years, Brian To’o is a hunter.
No longer an incumbent NSW State of Origin winger, and not a current premiership holder at Penrith.
The dominant winger of this decade, To’o’s run to Sunday’s preliminary final against Newcastle and a powerhouse showdown with Greg Marzhew has been a rollercoaster.
That is headlined by the emotional decision to sign with PNG for 2028, with the Samoan international admitting he grew teary making the call to soon leave Penrith.
There has also been a shock Origin axing, dropped by NSW for this year’s series decider after being mainstay for every other game since his debut in 2020.
“You’ve got to face a lot of adversity throughout your life span, and something like that’s either going to break you or make you stronger,” To’o told AAP.
“I was obviously disappointed, my first time ever not being in that side.
“But that’s definitely going to drive me to earn the right to be back in that team.”
To’o knows an Origin jersey is not won nine months out. But internally, there is a point he wants to prove to himself.
“Something I’ve got to prove is me-versus-me,” he said.
“I’ve got to prove to myself that I am worthy of earning that jersey back again. That I am worthy, that I know how I can play and who I am.
“It’s not your jersey, you’re the caretaker of that jersey. But you want to fight back into the squad and earn the right to be in that position again.”
That starts at Penrith, where To’o also has ground he is desperate to make up.
While the Panthers always make a point to delineate between one season and the next, it is clear there is a lingering disappointment around 2025 for most players.
And after four straight premierships, that feeling has been there since Deine Mariner slipped through him late in last year’s preliminary final to take Brisbane to victory.
“It’s definitely a different feeling this year,” To’o said.
“We’ve got to earn the right to be in that position (to win it back). We came into pre-season and into this year wanting to be better and earn that right.
“We’ve obviously fought back from last year, which was very disappointing. It’s not long to go, but we’ve still got a job to do.”
To’o is well aware this is his second-last chance to win another title at Penrith, after becoming one of seven players to already link with PNG for 2028.
Fans have regularly wished him well for next year, and while he points out he still has another 12 months it serves as a reminder his time is now limited.
“Every time someone leaves this club, it’s like a family member leaving the nest,” he said.
“So even when I first saw (Scott Sorensen) talking about (going to Perth), it brought tears to my eyes. Then a couple of months later, here I am saying I’m leaving as well.
“I definitely got a little bit teary just thinking about it, talking to my wifey about it as well. It’s just about making the most of my time here now.”
AAP