Panthers teammates back ‘freak’ To’o for Origin call-up

Brian To’o’s Panthers teammates believe the electrifying winger could be the man to help NSW reclaim the shield this State of Origin series.

To’o could be donning the blue jersey this Origin series.

Brian To’o is the man on everyone’s lips when it comes to Blues bolters for Game One, and his hopes of debuting at the MCG have received a huge boost with NSW No.7 Nathan Cleary declaring him a “freak” and “Penrith’s best player” in 2021.

Cleary gets asked every week to endorse a teammate for the State of Origin side, but this is the strongest recommendation he’s given so far.

To’o isn’t just inching towards an Origin debut; he’s charging into it at a million miles per hour after running for a career-high 290 metres from 28 carries and scoring a try in Penrith’s 24-6 win over the Knights.

He leads the league in running metres and post-contact metres, two crucial categories for wingers who play a key role in the all-important yardage battle in the game’s greatest rivalry.

He wouldn’t have been on anyone’s radar at the start of the year, but he now must be in Brad Fittler’s plans as the Blues look to reclaim the shield.

To’o tumbled over for a late try against the Knights on Thursday.

“He’s an absolute freak,” Cleary said.

“I still reckon he’s super underrated given how much work he does for our team.

“I reckon he’s been our best player so far this year, and I can’t speak highly enough of what he does.

“A kick goes over and you look around at who’s going to take the carry, and he’s there every single time, and every time he runs the ball, he looks like he’s going to make a break. He’s a beast.”

Josh Addo-Carr is a certainty to play on one wing, and picking To’o would ensure the Blues don’t repeat the mistake of last year when they played too many guys out of position in the back five.

In his favour is the fact the nuggety ball of energy can play both sides of the field, having moved from the right edge to the left this season to replace Josh Mansour.

His critics will say his lack of height is a liability, but at 182cm, teams haven’t been able to take advantage in the air. The Broncos had some success in Round 6 when they sent bomb after bomb his way, but Cleary says it isn’t an issue going forward.

“When he is targeted as he was last week, he just finds ways to get into the game,” he said.

“He’s always going to be there to put his hand up and he’ll contest anything that comes his way. I think his lack of height is made up for in other areas. The way he runs the ball is freakishly strong. Most people that play him understand it, but when you’re watching, you just see this shortish guy, but he’s an absolute freak.”

A character on and off the field, To’o humbly dead-batted any Origin talk, although he conceded it would be a dream come true if he got the call-up.

“A lot of family and friends have spoken to me about Origin, but I’m trying not to think about it right now,” he told the NCA Newswire.

“I just want to play consistent footy for Penrith, but if the opportunity comes around, I’d be grateful and blessed to put on a Blues jersey.

“Growing up, my siblings would always say ‘imagine if you played for the Blues’. I sometimes imagine it, but my focus is just on the Panthers for now.

“I’m just trying to do my job for the team. I don’t worry about stats. My mindset is just to do what I can to help the guys. My job is to run hard and tackle hard.”

Returning Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards said To’o “absolutely” deserved to make his Origin debut on the back of a relentless work ethic at training.

“The big thing is how hard he works out of yardage, and that’s what you want out of an Origin player,” he said.

“I think he’s ready for it. I try to tackle him at training so I know how hard it is to stop him. He works so hard so he’s getting everything he deserves at the moment.”

Originally published as Panthers teammates back ‘freak’ To’o for Origin call-up