The PNG Chiefs sent another statement to the rugby league world on Monday confirming the signing of Panthers and NSW Blues star Brian To’o on a three-year deal.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers to ever lace up the boots, To’o becomes the latest name to commit to the NRL’s 19th expansion club ahead of their entry in 2028.
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A four-time premiership winner, he will not only bring a wealth of experience to the squad but is one of the game’s most effective yardage carriers with his ability to make metres out of the back-field with ease, causing problems for opposing defenders.
It is a quality that QLD Maroons legend Gorden Tallis knows all too well, having played alongside two of the best attacking wingers in Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor.
Stressing the importance of having a winger of To’o’s quality in an NRL side, Tallis labelled him as the franchise’s “first real blue-chip signing”
“I played with a couple of good (wingers) in Lote and big Wendell and I know how important they are,” Tallis said on NRL 360.
“Penrith, they’re certainly going to miss this guy.
“When the ball goes over your head and you’ve got someone like him getting it back on tackle one or tackle two (it’s good to have).
“He looks like a fun guy to be around. I think he is their first real blue-chip signing.”
To’o’s arrival sees him join Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Connor Watson, Zac Lomax, Matty Lees at the club and with Joseph Manu also in their sights, the Chiefs are quickly assembling a squad packed with representative talent.
This has seen CODE Sports reporter Dean Richie question just how fast it would take them to rise into premiership contention.
“From a fledging side that was ridiculed early on. Are we seeing the birth of an NRL side that could win the NRL between three to five years?” Richie said.
“Is that thinking outside the square? Is that thinking ridiculously overs or do we think that this is becoming a genuine option for this franchise?”
Tallis replied that he could see the Chiefs follow a similar path to the Brisbane Broncos or Melbourne Storm, who established themselves as a genuine force within a number of years.