Penrith Panthers star Brian To’o has declared his intention to play for Sāmoa at the Rugby League World Cup in England later this year, fending off interest from Australia.
To’o is set to join Penrith teammates Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May, Izack Tago and Spencer Leniu in the Sāmoan squad when the tournament kicks off in October.
Sāmoa’s first clash will be against hosts and reigning World Cup finalists England at St. James’ Park in Newcastle on 15 October.
Whilst Luai and Crichton are also expected to don Sāmoan colours, fellow Origin squad members Josh Papali’i, Junior Paulo, Joseph Suaalii, Jeremiah Nanai, Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Murray Taulagi and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will too have to decide between Sāmoa and Australia.
To’o was born to a Sāmoan family in Westmead and grew up in Mount Druitt in Sydney’s west, playing his junior football with the St. Mary’s Saints.
He made his NRL debut with Penrith in Round 10, 2019 and made his international debut for Sāmoa later that year before making his Origin debut in 2021.
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His decision to turn down considerable financial incentives to represent his Sāmoan heritage was not one he took lightly.
“Most definitely I’ll be playing in the World Cup, and I’m going to be putting on the red and blue jersey of Sāmoa … I’m fully committed to Sāmoa,” he told Triple M.
“It would mean the world for me to put on the jersey and it’s a massive opportunity to play for Australia, but heart is everything to me and my people and my family means more … I’ll definitely play for my family.”
Under current eligibility rules, players are permitted to represent their state domestically and a second-tier nation internationally, which Sāmoa is classified as.
Australia, New Zealand, and England are the only current nations classified as first-tier, due to the advantages they possess in pathways, development, and talent pools, not the success of their international squads.
To’o’s decision to commit to Sāmoa for the World Cup is a major one for international rugby league and will help to achieve more widespread parity and competitiveness in a tournament that has been historically one-sided.
The sacrifices that players like To’o have made to represent their heritage improves the state of international rugby league and deserves to be applauded.
There is zero reason why a player born in western Sydney to Sāmoan parents should have to choose between their stage and heritage, particularly when their decision to represent both is in the best interests of the game.
Sāmoa are currently ranked eighth in the world but will be eager to make a climb up the ranking and trouble some of the world’s heavyweights later this year.
