Brian To’o leads a dream team of players loved by mums
He sings, he dances, rocks a pink jersey and loves an eyebrow wax. The Penrith Panthers’ Brian To’o tops a fast-growing team of female friendly players taking the NRL by storm.
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Brian Fletcher had a little giggle when he heard about the eyebrow waxing.
“Is that right?” the Panthers CEO chuckled when we told him that Brian To’o had been going to a Sunshine Coast beautician to get his eyebrows “cleaned”.
“Well I knew he was special but that’s real special isn’t it?”
Rugby league players do not get their eyebrows waxed. They don’t dance or sing either.
“Well they didn’t,” Fletcher said.
“Not until the likes of Bizza came along.”
Bizza is of course To’o – the breakdancing, eyebrow waxing, stereotype smashing singer who also just happens to be one of the most destructive ball runners in rugby league. And until recently, Fletcher was only concerned with what To’o did on the field.
“Eyebrow waxing?” Fletcher chuckles.
“Well that is something new for rugby league. But you know what? Brian can do whatever he likes because it is working. We have sold more than $300,000 worth of merchandise since we won on Sunday, which is incredible, and I can tell you the most popular item is Brian To’o’s pink jersey.”
That’s right. Pink. In the macho world of rugby league, the biggest selling jersey on grand final week is a pink jersey that belongs to an eyebrow waxing break-dancer. To a stereotype smashing superstar who has broken down the gender barrier to become the female face of the game. To To’o.
“Oh women just love him,” Fletcher said. “He is by far the most requested player when it comes to mothers. They just adore him.”
Set to take on the Rabbitohs in the NRL decider, To’o is the headline act on a fast growing list of female friendly stars that have taken the NRL by storm.
Along with his partner in crime Jarome Luai and the likes of Stephen Crichton, Cameron Murray, Ryan Papenhuyzen, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Nico Hynes, To’o has been able to do what no marketing department could — bring women back to rugby league.
“We didn’t plan for this,” Fletcher said.
“For someone like Nathan Cleary maybe. We know everybody loves him because he is an outstanding player. We expect the focus to be on him. And it was until the To’o’s, the Luais and Crichtons came along.
“We weren’t expecting anything from them (in terms of marketing) but the requests we get from mothers is staggering. Brian To’o is by far the most requested. They ask for jerseys with his name on him, they ask for him to do dances for them, cheerios, visits. They just love everything he does.
“The number of females that are now following us because of the pink jersey and because of players like Brian is unbelievable. Young girls love the pink and they love the young players.”
Social media has played a huge role in rugby league’s female revival. The personalities it has showcased has bought a new audience to the game.
“I’m not big into social media but I encourage it,” Fletcher said.
“I know some clubs have policies when it comes to usage but we don’t. I know we have good people here at this club and I encourage them to be themselves. And it is the players and their personalities that are ultimately responsible for the (marketing) success. I think people are watching them play football because they like their singing and dancing and we end up getting all those three, four, five-year-old girls watching them and then deciding they are going to go for the pink team.”
Rugby league has traditionally been a macho game. All big-hits and blue collar, footy players drank schooners and ate steaks. Being different was never good. An admission like the following would certainly not have been made even privately 10 years ago.
“We get it (eyebrow waxing) done in Maroochydore,” Crichton said earlier this week. “Brian and I went there together on Sunday. I just get my eyebrows cleaned and then a haircut later on in the week leading into the game. It’s nothing too special.”
But it is.
Having different types of personalities with different interests is what is attracting new supporters to rugby league.
And the likes of Crichton and To’o have decided the NRL is a game for everybody. Even eyebrow waxers.
“They will probably all be getting it done now,” Fletcher said.
Encouraging inclusion and diversity is also a big part of the Panthers on field success.
“Ivan (Cleary) is big on culture,” Fletcher said. “He encourages them to be themselves. Wants them to be themselves. He wants them to embrace each other and learn who each of them is. That is how you get them to play for each other. To have that trust and camaraderie they need.”
Social media can also be damaging, as we saw last week when Melbourne players Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith were filmed in a room with white powder. The NRL has no evidence of the trio ingesting the white powder and their club has said in a statement to their members that the players involved would be called upon to address the issue directly once the investigation is completed.
“It comes down to the person,” Fletcher said. “The boys here are good people. They have their religious beliefs and strong family values. Ultimately that is why people like them.”
PLAYERS CHANGING RUBGY LEAGUE’S MACHO IMAGE
CLINT GUTHERSON (EELS)
Not afraid to wear a man bun or take a 110kg hit, Gutherson is called the “King” by his long line of admirers.
JAMES TEDESCO (Roosters)
One of the most marketable men in rugby league, Tedesco is both a champion on the field and off the field. “Teddy” has worked hard to become a rugby league clean skin and developed into a true leader.
JAYDEN CAMPELL (TITANS)
The fresh-faced son of a gun stormed on to the NRL scene this year to become an immediate fan favourite. His boyish looks, electric smile and God-given talents make him one of the most exciting prospects in the game.
NICHO HYNES (SHARKS)
Everybody loves a redemption story and Nicho Hynes fan base is growing and is sure to be a huge hit at the Sharks in 2022.
ZAC LOMAX (DRAGONS)
Zac Lomax is every inch the poster boy. With talent to burn and looks to match his ability, Lomax is also intelligent and well spoken.
CAMERON MURRAY (RABBITOHS)
With his chiselled good looks and no-nonsense on-field play, Murray is a player that is impossible not to like. While he lets his rugby league do his talking, Murray is a genuine good guy who puts bums on seats.
REECE WALSH (WARRIORS)
Reece Walsh put his hand up and apologised for taking cocaine. The sincerity in his apology will ensure he is forgiven
TOM TRBOJEVIC (SEA EAGLES)
A self-confessed rugby league nerd, Trbojevic (pictured with partner Kristi Wilkinson) has captured the hearts of NRL fans by almost single-handedly turning Manly into a final’s force.
RYAN PAPENHUYZEN (STORM)
Described as an oddball by his teammates because he doesn’t party with the team, Papenhuyzen (pictured with partner Kelsey Browne) is an NRL family man in every sense of the word.
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