Brian To’o says he never wanted to leave Penrith, revealing “jokes and banter” with his current and former Panthers teammates during the State of Origin series was the catalyst for speculation over his future.
To’o is contracted to the Panthers until the end of 2027, but there were rumours he was keen to follow Jarome Luai to the Tigers at season’s end. It prompted club officials to meet with the star winger’s management to put the innuendo to bed.
Many of To’o’s closest friends – including his entire bridal party of Luai, Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Sunia Turuva – have either already departed or will leave the foot of the mountains at the end of the season. To’o, Crichton and Leniu spent almost two months together in Blues camp in the middle of the season.
Speaking for the first time about the conjecture, To’o said jest between buddies was taken out of context.
“It was a bit of banter out of Origin camp,” To’o told this masthead. “It was me and Romy [Luai] and Critta [Crichton].
“We are like little kids, pretty much. Whenever we are all together we like to banter, it might have come out [that I wanted to leave].
Brian To’o celebrates scoring a try against the Titans.Credit: Getty Images
“It was a bit of a joke that I was going with Romy. I’m obviously staying with the Panthers until 2027. It was all just banter and jokes.
“I’m really happy with where I am at the club and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the future.”
To’o’s management reassured club officials that the NSW and Australian flanker wasn’t restless and at no point was the situation used to leverage a pay rise.
“At that time I found out [about the speculation] I was very, very sick for the whole week,” To’o said. “I remember when I got the call about all these meetings, about me leaving it was funny banter. I know everything is not true. I am still signed to the Panthers until 2027 and I can’t wait to see where I go.”
To’o conceded he had mixed emotions about seeing some of his closest friends leave the club.
“It’s a bit of a split feeling of excitement and sadness as well,” he said. “It’s a bit emotional when the boys have to go but they are going to good things. We’re wishing them nothing but the best for their futures. They are still brothers, no matter what.”
The Panthers secured a top-two finish with their scrappy win against the Gold Coast on Saturday. The result will give them one last home game at Penrith Park before it is renovated, in a finals match against the Roosters.
The match will mark the first time that Leniu has played against the Panthers since joining the Tricolours.
“Spen Dog, I will do my very best to stay away from him,” To’o said. “I’m just looking forward to the big battle, I know that Spencer’s definitely looking forward to it.”
Penrith props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota were looking forward to coming up against Leniu.
“He’s a fiery little fella,” Leota said. “It should be good. “He’s a powerful thing and we need to make sure our defence is on when he is on.”
Fisher-Harris added: “It would be good to play against him, we haven’t had the chance [yet]. It’s good to see him back and playing good footy … I love to see the boys thrive, especially the ones I have got to know along the way.”
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