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‘Isn’t he injured?’: Penrith star’s Las Vegas antics raise eyebrows

Penrith fans were frustrated after seeing footage of one of their four-time premiership stars in Vegas that raised some eyebrows.

To'o & Talagi to miss Vegas clash

Panthers fans might have raised their eyebrows after seeing Brian To’o do the splits and backflips in Las Vegas despite being ruled out of his side’s game with injury.

To’o travelled to Vegas as part of side’s squad for their season-opening clash with Cronulla on Sunday afternoon (AEDT).

Watch the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership season opening double-header LIVE from Las Vegas on Kayo, SUN 2 MAR 10AM | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

But the winger wasn’t named in Penrith’s team to take on the Sharks after failing to recover from a hamstring strain in time to play.

So fans weren’t quite sure what to make of To’o dancing up a storm on stage at a fan event in Las Vegas this week.

In footage shared on Penrith’s social media account you can watch below, To’o performed some smooth backflips and slid into the splits. He even grabbed at his right hamstring, feigning an injury.

Panthers star's Vegas antics anger fans

Penrith fans were impressed with To’o’s moves but many believed it was an interesting look for someone missing a showpiece game with injury.

One fan wrote on Instagram: “Isn’t he supposed to be injured?”

A second said: “The fact that this breakdance and his breakfast routine still can’t get him fit for Round 1.”

A third said: “Hamstring looks sweet” with a magnifying glass emoji.

Another commented: “Hang on, as a Panthers supporter aren’t you injured?”

“Bizza hamstring must be OK if he can still dance,” said another.”

One cheeky fan added: “RayGun currently taking notes right now.”

Cronulla’s Will Kennedy and Braydon Trindall were some of the other players to bust a move on stage.

Jillaroos player Sarah Togatuki also showed off her dancing prowess in a party atmosphere on Fremont Street in Vegas.

Brian To’o busts a move in Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Brian To’o busts a move in Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
That’s impressive for a player with a hamstring injury. Picture: Jonathan Ng
That’s impressive for a player with a hamstring injury. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In To’o’s absence, Casey McLean has been named on the wing for Penrith, with Paul Alamoti on the other wing.

Penrith’s team has a couple of changes from the line-up that won a fourth consecutive grand final in October last year.

Jack Cole has been given first crack at the No. 6 jersey vacated by Jarome Luai. Blaize Talagi had been in the mix to play five-eighth but the Panthers are taking a cautious approach after Talagi had off-season shoulder surgery.

A crowd of 50,000 is expected to be at the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium on Sunday to watch four games of rugby league as the NRL kicks off the season in Vegas.

To’o will miss the Vegas game with injury. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP.
To’o will miss the Vegas game with injury. Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP.

Super League champions Wigan take on Sam Burgess’ Warrington and the Australian Jillaroos will play the England women before the two NRL games.

The Canberra Raiders play the New Zealand Warriors and four-time reigning premiers Penrith face the Sharks in the match of the weekend.

NRL 2025 Las Vegas games, Sunday March 1

Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (8:30am AEDT)

Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors (11am AEDT)

Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (1:15pm AEDT)

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks (3:30pm AEDT).

The only place to watch all four games of Rugby League in Las Vegas live is Fox League, available on Kayo Sports.

Originally published as ‘Isn’t he injured?’: Penrith star’s Las Vegas antics raise eyebrows

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/isnt-he-injured-penrith-stars-las-vegas-antics-raise-eyebrows/news-story/09105f43a32ffbdf9ca81fab5fb6dcd6