Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is confident superstar winger Brian To’o will bounce back from his shock axing from the NSW side for the State of Origin decider and disagrees with suggestions he was dropped because of his lack of height.
To’o was one of several big omissions for next week’s game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. It ends his run of 17-straight games for his state where he has scored 11 tries.
But he won’t have the chance to snatch the outright try-scoring NSW record on July 8 after rookie Jack Bostock was brought in to replace him by coach Laurie Daley, who said To’o was down on confidence.
“No doubt he would be disappointed, but he’s taking it well. It’s all part of the journey and I’m looking forward to having him this week for us,” Cleary said.
“I feel like he’s been playing all right, but Laurie’s got to pick the team he thinks is going to do the job. No one’s ever guaranteed their spot, nor should they be, so that’s the way he’s gone.”
The Blues have opted for a towering backline with Bostock (194cm), Stephen Crichton (193) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (190) all considerably taller than To’o, who is listed at a generous 182cm on the Panthers website.
His shorter stature hasn’t been a major issue for his club or state in the past, although Queensland winger Jojo Fifita was able to fly above him for a try in Origin II.
“Probably the highlight that everyone’s looking at is the aerial sort of thing,” Cleary said.
“Bizza (To’o) hasn’t got any shorter, and over many, many years, that question’s always been thrown up.
“No one’s ever got it over him in the air. In game two there was one obvious try there, but there were a few other things going on there.
“Bizza is an absolute legend and a champion player, and he’ll bounce back for sure.”
To’o has been below his best over the past month, with the metre-eating winger making several errors in the Origin opener.
But he was still able to make more metres than any other player that night to show how valuable he is to the team.
“Bizza has had an unbelievable career, and the bigger the game, the better he goes,” Cleary said.
“I guess it’s just that sort of situation with the Blues at the moment where they’re looking for answers to try to get a better performance out there. There are a lot of good players to choose from and there are a lot of good players in that team.
“That’s just the way Loz (Daley) has gone here, and I’m sure Bizza will be fine. I’m looking forward to having him playing for us this week.
“It’s great to have those guys that easily could be in that Origin team (playing for us).
“It’s sort of mixed feelings, I must say. I’m not really sure how to think of it too much. I’m definitely not standing here going ‘I’m so glad they’re playing for us’ because in my heart, I’d love them to be playing for the Blues. But you’ve got to take it how it is and we’ll gladly accept them playing for us this week.”
To’o will be there on Friday against the Rabbitohs when the Panthers look to end their two-game losing streak.
The ladder leaders couldn’t hold on to the ball in Townsville and will field a new-look back row with Scott Sorensen and Luke Garner set to replace Liam Martin (Origin) and Isaiah Papali’i (head knock).
Injured duo Casey McLean and Mitch Kenny are expected to return after next week’s bye, with Penrith unlikely to make any moves before the June 30 deadline.
“I’ve been super happy with the season,” Cleary said.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve definitely lost our edge a bit, but we’ve had a great year and our best footy has been very good.
“I’m just looking forward to getting through the middle of this year and setting our sights for the end of the year and finding our best footy.”
Originally published as ‘Hasn’t got any shorter’: Ivan Cleary backs Brian To’o to bounce back from shock NSW axing, shuts down myth about his star winger