As one of Penrith’s brightest young talents, Brian To’o has come a long way in the NRL over the past 12 months since his last Canterbury Cup NSW appearance in May last year.
Now a permanent fixture on the right flank for the Panthers’ top grade side, To’o has been part of the club’s junior development system through the UNE SG Ball Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup before making his mark in Canterbury Cup NSW from 2018.
To’o was then selected for the CABE NSW Under 20s later that year as just rewards for his rise to prominence in the lower grades, having since represented NSW Residents and making his Test debut for Samoa in 2019.
Brian To’o played 14 matches for the Panthers across 2018 and 2019 in the NSW Cup and Canterbury Cup NSW, producing five tries, three line-breaks and five offloads while averaging five tackle-breaks, 153 run metres and 54 post-contact metres per game.
The Penrith junior’s strongest Canterbury Cup NSW display came in Round 6, 2019 when the Panthers narrowly defeated eventual premiers the Newtown Jets 18-16. To’o scored the opening try of the contest in the 21st minute and also recorded one line-break, an incredible nine tackle-breaks and 196 run metres including 51 post-contact.
Earning his first NRL opportunity in Round 10 last year, To’o has nailed down his spot on the right wing, scoring 10 tries from just 20 first grade games.
To’o has quickly made a name for himself as one the of best finishers in the NRL with a handful of tackle-busting raids and trademark corner post put-downs, yet could see even more success in 2020 after Penrith’s ominous 4-1-1 start to the season.
