Dropped, departing and dangerous: The Origin axing that lit a fire under Brian To’o

For a club accustomed to saying farewell to stars and somehow finding a way to keep winning, To’o’s impending departure in 12 months carries a different feel.

He has been there for every premiership and every iteration of a side that keeps regenerating around its champion core.

He has changed as a person, too. Fatherhood often does that. Once the young kid who would muck around in team meetings – “you start to mature a little bit … it’s pretty cool to be one of the leaders” – To’o finds himself among the old heads.

“It’s just making sure I’m not taking anything for granted and making the most of my time here,” he says.

There is another adventure waiting. Unlike his close mate Luai, To’o signed for PNG without visiting the facilities. He’ll get his first look next month when he tours with Samoa for the Rugby League World Cup.

The 28-year-old sees parallels between PNG and Samoa. Having watched Luai become the face of the Chiefs after signing in April, To’o wants to be a source of inspiration in the only country in the world where rugby league is the national sport. Those third-party deals his mate Luai is racking up look pretty enticing too.

“I want to be that beacon [of light] and return a bit of glory to the people in PNG,” To’o says. “It was more of the opportunity to do something great for a nation.

“Footy is everything to those people. Being a proud Samoan boy, it reminded me of back home, seeing all the smiles the kids had with ‘Romey’ there. Seeing them sign Zac Lomax and Joey Manu was pretty cool to see.

“I just didn’t see myself in different colours in the NRL.”

The excitement and nerves are much the same as most years. To’o and Penrith know what is required. They’ve been here before, and last year’s stumble, in the corresponding week, has not been forgotten.

Since his Origin omission, To’o has caught hundreds of high balls, honed his tackling technique and refined his running style with ball in hand.

“The belief just keeps getting bigger and bigger, with us” To’o says.

“There are so many young boys who are emerging into this team … way more mature than what I was when I first came in.

“I never get enough of you doing good for my teams, whether it’s Samoa, Penrith or the Blues. This club has always been my family. It will always be my family.

“I’m just making every moment count, man.”