In the upcoming days, Penrith administrators will meet with Brian To’o and his management, while teammates deny any indication that the standout winger is uneasy.
A day after it was reported that To’o was “restless” at the three-time NRL premiers, To’o left Panthers headquarters early on Wednesday, one of several players feeling under the weather.
In addition, Liam Ayoub, To’o’s manager, and Penrith CEO Matt Cameron have spoken. Ayoub and the NSW State of Origin winger are scheduled to meet shortly.
Cameron stated on Wednesday that “the club will endeavor to meet with Brian and his representative together.”
Cameron’s comments came after Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall admitted on Wednesday morning his club would be interested in To’o if he became available.
For that too happen, the 25-year-old would first have to agitate for a release and have it granted by Penrith.
At this stage, that seems some way off, given there is minimal salary-cap pressure at the Panthers and they have already lost fellow winger Sunia Turuva.
Contracted until the end of 2027, To’o is regarded as one of the game’s premier wingers given his yardage early in sets and try-scoring ability close to the line.
The Samoa international would likely be one of the most in-demand wingers on the open market, but did not test his value when he extended with Penrith in 2022.
And teammates find it hard to believe the Blues flyer is about to agitate for more money at Penrith.
“I don’t really buy into it too much, because it is out of character for him and the club,” Penrith and NSW Origin teammate Liam Martin said.
“There are absolutely no signs (of him being restless) … You can tell how much he loves this club and this area and what Panthers have done for him.
“I haven’t had a chance to see him because he is away crook. But when he comes back I’ll get stuck into him and ask what’s going on.”
Asked whether he could understand if To’o were to look at other NRL wingers’ salaries and review his own, Martin said it was unlikely.
“You could say that about anyone in our club and their positions,” added Martin, who also did not go to market on his last deal.
“That’s why this club is so successful, because people want to stay and what they’ll do for one another … (They) take those pay cuts.
“And he’s a part of it as well. We didn’t go to market, we both wanted to stay. I don’t see how that’s changed with him.”
Martin did concede that it was possible players could want to challenge themselves outside of the Panthers, with many having left for Canterbury or the Tigers.
In the past year To’o has seen close friends on the move – Stephen Crichton to Canterbury, Spencer Leniu to the Sydney Roosters and Jarome Luai signing for the Tigers from next season.
Martin did concede that it was possible players could want to challenge themselves outside of the Panthers, with many having left for Canterbury or the Tigers.
In the past year To’o has seen close friends on the move – Stephen Crichton to Canterbury, Spencer Leniu to the Sydney Roosters and Jarome Luai signing for the Tigers from next season.
