Penrith and NSW winger Brian To’o will be sweating on the match review committee not issuing him with a high-tackle charge on Canterbury’s Bronson Xerri – then hope scans clear him of a knee injury.
To’o was placed on report inside the final two minutes of Thursday night’s epic 8-6 win over Canterbury at CommBank Stadium.
The reigning premiers and current competition leaders produced arguably the match of the season.
To’o was ruled to have knocked the ball on after his shot on Xerri, only for the bunker to intervene and inform referee Grant Atkins to place To’o on report.
The Dogs passed on the chance to try and level the score with a long-range penalty goal, and almost scored on the final play of the game, only for a Stephen Crichton to pass the ball into touch.
Should To’o be hit with a grade-one careless high tackle when the charges are released on Friday, he will be fined, but a grade-two charge means he will miss Origin III on July 9.
Brian To’o was placed on report for this tackle on Bronson Xerri.Credit: Nine
To’o, who was awarded the player’s player for the Blues during Origin II in Perth, said he did not believe he had anything to worry about, and said after the game: “I asked him [Xerri] if he was alright, and he said he was sweet.”
Penrith co-captain Issah Yeo said he wanted to challenge the call because he was convinced To’o had made contact with the chest – not the head – but was unsure if he could once he was placed on report.
“The contact was so hard it made it look like whiplash,” Yeo said.
“We wanted to challenge it after looking at the slo-mo. There was obviously whiplash, but I thought it was more contact with the chest, not the head.
Penrith’s Brian To’o, Izack Tago, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards watch the big screen during their match against the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
“The tougher the game is, the better he goes, and he showed that again tonight.
“He went into game two off a limited preparation, and he was our best in that game. I thought he was just about our best again tonight.”
The other pressing issue for To’o was his left knee, which was strapped midway through the first half. Penrith officials confirmed after the game To’o would go for precautionary scans on Friday, but it was a good sign he could finish the game.
Should To’o be in any doubt for the Origin decider in Sydney, Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz would come into contention for NSW.
Happy cat: Nathan Cleary celebrates his critical second-half try.Credit: Getty Images
Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said: “Firstly, I don’t think Brian’s got too much to worry about, there wasn’t much in it. If Jacob got an opportunity, he wouldn’t let anyone down, and he’s been one of the form wingers of the comp.”
The Panthers made it four wins on the trot to remind the competition why a fifth straight title is not out of the question, despite winning just one of their opening seven games.
A Nathan Cleary charge-down try in the 55th minute proved the difference, with Cleary’s right groin also proving no problems whatsoever.
“I saw the guys outside of him [Burton] were a bit in front of him, so he couldn’t pass it – I think I’ll end up with a bruised chest because he kicked it that hard into me,” Cleary said of his try.
“I said to dad [coach Ivan Cleary] after the game there was a charge-down in an Origin game in 2022 in Perth, and the ball bounced over my head. I had visions [tonight] of that as the ball was bouncing, and I was like, ‘please, don’t bounce over my head’. Luckily I got a good bounce.”
Casey McLean more than held his own against Crichton, Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards ran for more than 260m, Mitch Kenny tackled himself into the ground, while Canterbury fullback Connor Tracey was the standout in a side that lost no admirers.
