Rep winger Brian To’o is reportedly racing against the clock to establish his fitness as the Penrith Panthers, four-time defending NRL premiers, explore a surprise backline reshuffle for Sunday’s season-opening match against the Sharks in Las Vegas. To’o is in danger of missing the Panthers’ game against Cronulla at Allegiant Stadium after reportedly suffering a hamstring injury during preseason training last week.
With halfback Nathan Cleary anticipated to recover from off-season shoulder surgery, the Panthers already have many players with minor injury concerns going into the new season. Cleary, along with newcomer Blaize Talagi, Liam Henry, and fullback Dylan Edwards, is one of four Panthers players who underwent surgery during the preseason. Ivan Cleary, the coach of Penrith, stated last week that all four would play unless there were any last-minute setbacks.
However, To’o is one player who seems to be seriously doubtful. Last week, veteran league journalist Peter Lang disclosed that the Blues and Samoa winger may miss a “couple of weeks” due to a hamstring “strain” sustained during training. Lang follows Penrith extensively and is a respected source when it comes to happenings at the Panthers.
In his Monday injury report, he stated that if To’o is unable to play against the Sharks, the Panthers are thinking of moving Izack Tago to the wing and back-rower Luke Garner into the centres. Lang also suggested that Jesse McLean be added to the team as a like-for-like substitute for To’o on the wing. This would put him and his brother Casey McLean in opposite positions on Penrith’s wings.
Panthers facing re-shuffle with Brian To’o under injury cloud
The latter option would make more sense, considering the older McLean brother Jesse, 20, is used to playing on the wing and was considered to be ahead of his brother Casey, 18, in the pecking order last season – until injury struck. Casey took his opportunities on the wing for Penrith with both hands last year and impressed so much that he earned a Test call-up for the Kiwis. Casey scored four tries in an incredible Test debut for New Zealand and looks to have cemented a wing spot at Penrith for the 2025 season, following the departure of premiership star Sunia Turuva to the Tigers.
The Panthers could also shift back-up fullback Daine Laurie onto the wing for To’o, with the former Wests Tigers speedster renowned for his versatility playing across a number of positions in the backline. Laurie has mainly excelled in the No.1 jersey when Edwards has been missing but has also done a solid job playing on the wing for the Panthers in the past.
Starting Tago in an unfamiliar wing spot and Garner in the centres would be considered a risky move for many fans but Panthers coach Cleary might see it as a way to shore up his defence against a dangerous Cronulla attack. The Sharks have suffered their own major setback ahead of Sunday’s Vegas season opener, with gun winger Sione Katoa ruled out for several months after being forced to undergo shoulder surgery.
With Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall leading the halves and tried-and-true try-scorers Will Kennedy and Ronaldo Mulitalo poised to capitalise in attack, the Sharks still have more than enough offensive ability to make up for Katoa’s absence. Many pundits have predicted Craig Fitzgibbons’ team to finish in the top four because of the addition of star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake, who gives an already powerful forward pack even more strength and power. His arrival is seen as the final piece of the puzzle at the Sharks.
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