Panthers winger Brian To’o has apologised but is set to face sanctions from the club after he made a series of derogatory comments on social media this week about the partners of some teammates.
The NSW and Samoa star commented on several Instagram stories posted by Penrith’s official account, making sexualised comments.
He described Nathan Cleary as “the Fowler slayer” in reference to his Matildas star girlfriend Mary Fowler with a goat emoji and love heart.
To’o referred to second-rower Scott Sorensen as “Elle smasher”, prop Matt Eisenhuth as “Holly destroyer” and winger Tom Jenkins as “Jess wrecker” in reference to their partners.
Club management is yet to make an official statement on the incident.
The Panthers flew to Auckland on Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s sudden-death finals clash with the Warriors to kick off their finals series in pursuit of a fifth straight title.
Speaking before news of his social media posts was revealed, To’o spoke about a season of injury frustration, restricted to only 13 games by hamstring and knee complaints.
“It’s been a massive roller coaster this year with injury setbacks and stuff,” To’o said.
Such has been the depth of his injury struggles, the winger barely trained ahead of the second and third State of Origin matches and has been placed on a ban from dancing by his wife Moesha.
To’o had been rested from the Panthers’ past two games and returns fresh for Saturday’s elimination final against the Warriors.
“Two weeks goes a long way,” To’o said. “I really appreciate coach for resting me. I was dying to play for the boys but felt like it was needed to rest the body and get myself ready for finals.”
To’o’s season of injury setbacks has come after years of pushing his body to the limit during the Panthers’ premiership dynasty.
The 27-year-old is a monster out of yardage, averaging 193 run metres this season and the fourth-most post-contact metres of any player.
But the sight of To’o limping with ice strapped onto his legs has become common after Penrith games in recent years, even when he has not been struck down by specific injuries.
To’o acknowledged injuries were inevitable for players who take the game on like he does, but has vowed to never change.
“The body’s screaming, ‘That’s enough, no more’, but I’m still fuming, I still want those tough carries,” he said.
“I’m that guy that everyone wants to look to to send them to the wolves. That’s me.
“I’ll still keep taking those hard carries whether I’m injured or not.”
To’o was eager for the chance to face former teammate James Fisher-Harris, who became the Warriors’ co-captain this season after four premiership wins at Penrith.
The elimination final will be To’o’s first match against the New Zealand international, with fixturing at the 2022 World Cup sparing To’o and Samoa from facing the Kiwis.
“I’m looking forward to coming up against ‘Fish’. It might be my second or first carry to go at him. We’ll just see how we go,” To’o said.
Paix hits pay dirt with new deal
Cory Paix has fought for everything he’s got at Brisbane, and a late-season extension will keep the terrier hooker at the club in 2026.
The Broncos squad for next season is being filled in at pace, with veteran prop Corey Jensen also signing for an extra two years this week to keep him on board until 2027.
The club did have more cap space open up after middle forward Kobe Hetherington inked a four-year deal with Manly from next year after he appeared set to stay at Brisbane in 2026.
Paix had made it clear all year he did not want to leave, but it has been a roller-coaster season. He began as starting hooker before being moved to the bench and then dropped once Ben Hunt switched from the halves to No.9
When Hunt was moved to No.7 after injury to captain Adam Reynolds, the stoic Paix got his hooking spot back.
His extension means the Broncos will be flush with rakes next season, with Ben Hunt, Blake Mozer, Billy Walters, Paix and highly rated young gun Cameron Bukowski on the books.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Paix has been a solid performer and a good luck charm. The Broncos have won all eight games when he has started since round 14.
The qualified carpenter’s tackle efficiency of 97.6 per cent gives the Broncos steel in the middle of the park, which they are going to need against the red-hot Raiders in the qualifying final in Canberra on Sunday.
Paix, with 64 NRL games for the Broncos to his credit, has received a boost on the cusp of finals.
Last year he did not play a game of NRL and his career appeared stalled, but he’s glad he stayed at the club in what was his final year under contract, rather than take an opportunity elsewhere.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get back to the NRL, but I always had faith, stuck to my processes and relied on my hard work to put me back in the frame,” Paix said.
“I’ve got to say it was challenging, but I’m thankful that I got through those times.
“I’ve still got plenty to give, and plenty to go as a player and a person.”
Football operations boss Troy Thomson said Paix, who was identified as a junior by the Broncos when 13, was made of the right stuff.
“He’s an important member of the squad and is always looking for ways to develop his craft as a hooker,” Thomson said.
“He is well-liked among the group, always has a smile on his face and brings a cheeky energy that lifts those around him.”
with AAP
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/chiy1EY News: To’o in strife over lewd comments about teammates’ partners, Bronco inks new deal
Post a Comment