Brian To’o signs with PNG Chiefs

PENRITH’s Brian To’o, rated by some as the world’s best winger, will join PNG Chiefs on a three year deal from 2028.

The signing, announced on Thursday morning by both clubs, has caused significant waves across the sport – coming as it does after the new team signed Jerome Luai, Alex Johnston, Zac Lomax, Connor Watson and Matty Lees.

Speaking on SEN, Chiefs GM of football Michael Chammas said: “Brian’s contracted until the end of 2027, which means we would have had to wait until November 1.

“But I think in the conversations between himself, his management and Penrith about what his future looked like there was a mutual understanding and respect there for Brian that if he wanted to test the waters before November 1 that he could.

“We were informed just over a week ago that we had about seven days to get a deal done if we wanted to.

“Because Penrith like to bunk down close to finals; that’s well and truly understandable, so we respected that timeframe.”

Liam Ayoub, the team’s recruitment manager, used to be To’o’s manager. The 27-year-old, who has played 11 Tests for Samoa and 11 Origins for New South Wales, did not visit the Chiefs’ facilities in Port Moresby as many of the other signings have.