Penrith Panthers star winger Brian To'o has revealed being able to change lives of people in Papua New Guinea, as well as his own, was behind his decision to shift north.
To'o recently became the sixth signing for the club who will join the competition in 2028, with the Panthers giving him permission to negotiate his future ahead of the November 1 deadline.
The winger will also join his best mate Jarome Luai in Port Moresby when the new look Chiefs outfit begin their first pre-season at the end of next year, but said it wasn't about playing alongside Luai once again that persudaded him to move north.
“To be honest, I didn't really see myself in a different jersey other than Panthers,” he told Newswire.
“But I think once the opportunity came about, changing people's lives in PNG, I thought that's definitely an opportunity that I would love to take.
“Being able to change their lives, and not only change their lives, but they can also change mine as well.”
The links between To'o and the Chiefs started almost immediately after Luai signed on as the club's first player, but it's understood the deal came together in just seven days a few weeks ago, although Zero Tackle understood his preference was to wind up in Port Moresby a number of months ago.
To'o revealed telling his family and his teammates was, despite the timeline of it all coming together, tough.
“Probably the hardest part was just telling my family. Even telling my family really lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders for their support through the whole process," he revealed.
“I'm really happy with my decision. That awaits for me in 2028, I've just got to lock in for the brothers at the Panthers right now.
“(Telling teammates) was probably another hard thing, being able to stand up in front of the boys and also tell the club as well.
“As much as it really hurts me, I think it kind of works out for everyone. The young boys get their own opportunities for the Panthers and they're obviously going to be in a better place as well.
“It just allows me to focus on the present moment with the Panthers and when that opportunity comes in 2028, then it comes.”
