Premiership-winning Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o hasn’t thought about the fact that he may be playing his last NRL game this weekend alongside his great friend, Jarome Luai.
Out loud, anyway.
The Panthers face Cronulla-Sutherland this weekend in a preliminary final at Accor Stadium and a victory would see To’o, Luai and the Panthers go through to their fifth-straight grand final with the chance to win their fourth straight.
“There’s definitely a bit of nerves there,” the Samoan and NSW Blues flyer told The Western Weekender.
If the Panthers get passed the Sharks this Saturday night – To’o and Luai would be staring down the barrel of a remarkable fourth title together.
Alongside To’o, Penrith are also losing James Fisher-Harris, Sunia Turuva and Tyrone Peachey among others.
“Obviously the boys that are departing have done so much for the club and I think it will be a good to send them off on a high note.
“Hopefully we can dial it in with all that emotion and try and win the next two games.”
Just a month ago, Luai was forced to deny rumours that he was behind a reported push for To’o to walk out on the Panthers despite the flanker being contracted at the foot of the mountains until 2027.
“It was pretty funny when people started blaming me,” Luai.
“I think they were always going to do that when they were getting rumours about that.
“You sort of wonder where they originated from and I don’t even think ‘Bizza’ knows, which is pretty interesting.”
“I’ve been in his shoes. If you asked me three or four years ago if I was going to be a one club player then I would have said yes. He’s in that boat. Looking from the outside in, hopefully, he stays here because he bleeds Penrith like we all do.
“At the end of the day, it is a business so whatever happens, I just want the best for him.”
The Panthers juniors’ first match together in the top grade was way back on the 17th of May, 2019
A 30-10 loss to the Warriors at Penrith Park.
The Panthers and Sharks clash this Saturday evening at 7.50pm.
Meanwhile four former NRL stars have been named in the English Super League’s “Dream Team”.
Former St George Illawarra custodian Matt Dufty was selected at fullback and was joined by journeyman Nene McDonald, and ex-Canterbury forwards Rhyse Martin and Luke Thompson.