NSW stars Isaah Yeo and Stephen Crichton have opened up on the axing of Brian To’o for the State of Origin decider, revealing the Blues champion is “devastated” at the decision. To’o had played 17 Origin games in a row since making his debut in 2021, and is a two-time winner of the Brad Fittler Medal as NSW player of the series.
He made some uncharacteristic errors in Game 1 and was outmatched in the air by Jojo Fifita in Game 2. Laurie Daley has picked Jack Bostock to replace To’o in the hope he can provide more of an aerial threat.
Isaah Yeo (L) has opened up on the Origin axing of Brian To’o (R). Image: Getty
Speaking on the first day of Blues camp on Monday, To’o’s close mates Yeo and Crichton said they’d reached out to him. “I spoke to him last night, he was pretty devastated,” said former Panthers teammate and good friend Crichton.
“I just told him that everything happens for a reason, and this could be a massive opportunity for him to look after himself. I have been in that position as well, being left out of a side. You get devastated because you want to play on the biggest stage, but everything happens for a reason.”
Isaah Yeo (L) and Stephen Crichton (R) said they’d reached out to Brian To’o (centre).
(Brendon Thorne)
Panthers and NSW captain Yeo said he’d also reached out. “I flicked him a message last night when I found out. Obviously, I am gutted for him and just said I am sorry about the decision,” Yeo said.
“I certainly don’t think he is finished in this arena. Obviously, Loz (Daley) has gone this way for this game, but I have no doubt he’ll be back. But then on the flip side, I am super happy for Jack Bostock.
“[To’o] should just be proud of his body of work in general. I certainly don’t think he should go back and lose confidence in it. He has been one of the best wingers ever statistically in what he has done, in not just this arena but in clubland and for his country, he is certainly someone that should not lose confidence.”
Laurie Daley explains Brian To’o axing
Daley said about To’o axing on Monday: “We were just looking at maybe a different option with the ball in the air to attack with. But also today’s game, because there are so many more contested possessions you’ve got to be able to obviously get off the ground, catch the ball, and make it a contest.
“It was more just ‘Bizza’ gives us something different to what Jack will give us, but we just think for Game 3, that’s the way to go.”