The PNG Chiefs sent another statement to the rugby league world on Monday confirming the signing of Panthers and NSW Blues star Brian To\u2019o on a three-year deal.<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers to ever lace up the boots, To\u2019o becomes the latest name to commit to the NRL\u2019s 19th expansion club ahead of their entry in 2028.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s most effective yardage carriers with his ability to make metres out of the back-field with ease, causing problems for opposing defenders.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Stressing the importance of having a winger of To\u2019o\u2019s quality in an NRL side, Tallis labelled him as the franchise\u2019s \u201cfirst real blue-chip signing\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI played with a couple of good (wingers) in Lote and big Wendell and I know how important they are,\u201d Tallis said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cPenrith, they\u2019re certainly going to miss this guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the ball goes over your head and you\u2019ve got someone like him getting it back on tackle one or tackle two (it\u2019s good to have).<\/p>\n
\u201cHe looks like a fun guy to be around. I think he is their first real blue-chip signing.\u201d<\/p>\n
To\u2019o\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
This has seen CODE Sports reporter Dean Richie question just how fast it would take them to rise into premiership contention.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 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?\u201d Richie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that thinking outside the square? Is that thinking ridiculously overs or do we think that this is becoming a genuine option for this franchise?\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n