Penrith Panthers flyer Brian To’o was in the middle of a prayer in church when he heard his phone go off. On the other end of the line was Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler who needed to tell him something pretty important.
“I just ran outside so I was pretty nervous” said To’o.
“It was a pretty special moment; I was starstruck.”
Fittler told To’o, who has been one of the form wingers of the NRL this season, that he would be making his debut for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues for Game One of the Ampol State of Origin series on Wednesday 9 June.
Behind Blue Eyes | Round 12
When asked if he shared the career defining news with his fellow churchgoers, To’o’s reasoning should come as no surprise.
“No, I wanted to stay humble,” he said.
“As soon as I finished the call with Freddy, my mum messaged me to come back outside.
“I said no, come out here and she was very curious as to what is going on.
“When I told her, her face just changed straight away and she was very happy, so I just kept it between me and my parents.”
Despite his humble reaction to the news, the damaging ball runner has been knocking down the door for selection this year after helping Penrith to a 12-0 record and leading the NRL in post contact metres and running metres.
