Brian To’o Avoids Suspension but Faces Injury Battle Ahead of State of Origin Game 3
Brian To’o has narrowly dodged suspension for a high tackle incident against Bronson Xerri in Penrith’s tight 8-6 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs—but the bigger concern now looms over a fresh knee injury that may rule him out of the crucial State of Origin decider for New South Wales.
The 26-year-old Panthers winger had his left knee strapped during the first half of Thursday night’s match and was later seen leaving the field with ice applied to the area. Despite the concern, To’o played the full 80 minutes and didn’t seem overtly restricted during the game. Still, post-match comments and recent injury history suggest that simply completing the match may not mean all is well.
NSW coach Laurie Daley now faces a significant selection dilemma as he weighs the risk of including a less-than-fully-fit To’o in his side for Origin Game 3, which will decide the 2025 series. The Blues already face a must-win situation, and the potential loss of one of their key strike weapons would be a heavy blow.
Speaking after the match, To’o attempted to calm nerves. “I’m still walking, that’s the main positive sign,” he said. “I think it might’ve happened during the game, either way I’m all good … It’s good.” While that optimism is promising, it may not be enough to sway the selectors if scans reveal structural damage.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary offered little clarity on the injury, noting, “I’m not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before. I honestly don’t know how he is.” Cleary’s comments refer to To’o’s history of playing through pain, including earlier this year in Round 4, when he completed a match while carrying a hamstring injury, only to be sidelined for five weeks afterward.
Adding further pressure to the selection process is the form and availability of Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz. The young winger was brought into the Blues camp as cover ahead of Game 2 when To’o was dealing with that hamstring issue. If the knee problem sidelines To’o for Game 3, Kiraz is expected to be the front-runner to make his Origin debut.
Meanwhile, To’o was also the subject of scrutiny for a high tackle late in Thursday’s match. The incident occurred when he made contact with Bronson Xerri, resulting in a penalty. However, the match review committee decided not to charge him, sparing him any potential suspension. The tackle appeared to be a result of Xerri’s head snapping forward after initial contact with the chest, causing him to collide with To’o’s shoulder.
Given To’o’s clean judiciary record, he would likely have avoided suspension even with a grade-one charge. However, a grade-two offence would have seen him miss the Origin decider. In the end, he escaped without even a fine.
When asked about the tackle post-match, To’o said, “Nah. I asked him if he was alright, he said he was sweet. But I had to check on Brons and see if he was alright.” Both Cleary and Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo downplayed the incident, further diffusing any controversy.
While the uncertainty surrounding To’o’s availability casts a shadow over the Blues’ preparation, there was a silver lining on Thursday night with the return of Nathan Cleary. The star halfback managed to get through the full match unscathed, in what was a crucial confidence boost for NSW fans and selectors.
Cleary had been battling a groin injury that ruled him out of Origin Game 2, and while he didn’t take on goal-kicking duties against the Bulldogs, he looked comfortable running the game. Dylan Edwards stepped up to handle conversions on the night, a sign that Cleary’s kicking duties are still being cautiously managed.
“It was good, I didn’t really have any scares at all,” Cleary said after the game. “This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. They put a lot of work into me and got me into a headspace where I was right to play.”
Cleary also acknowledged that goal-kicking remains the next hurdle in his recovery. “Goal-kicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went.”
His absence from the tee has already impacted NSW. In Game 2, Zac Lomax missed three out of five conversion attempts—errors that proved costly in the tight contest. If Cleary is still not ready to resume kicking duties for the series decider, Daley faces a tough call. Lomax could retain the job, but Stephen Crichton or Latrell Mitchell may be seen as more reliable alternatives under pressure.
With the decider looming on July 9, the Blues find themselves in a familiar place—juggling injury concerns with team selection headaches. Brian To’o’s situation will be monitored closely over the next week as scans and medical evaluations determine whether he will be fit to run out in the sky blue jersey.
For now, the fact that To’o avoided suspension is a relief, but it does little to ease the growing doubts about his physical readiness. His availability—or lack thereof—could have a significant impact on the outcome of the series, particularly against a Queensland outfit that will be bolstered by confidence and continuity.
NSW fans and coaching staff will be hoping for positive news in the days ahead. But with uncertainty swirling around To’o and Cleary’s goal-kicking status still unclear, there are plenty of question marks as the Blues prepare for one of their most important matches in recent memory.
