To’o: Humbled to play in PNG

Playing international rugby league in Papua New Guinea is something many rugby league players anticipate.

Whether you’re Australian, Kiwi, English, Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Cook Islander, French or Lebanese, the passionate Papua New Guinean rugby league fan is unique.

You find them no where else in the world, only in Papua New Guinea, a nation that calls rugby league its national sport.

Playing in front of passionate rugby league fans who support their team [PNG Kumuls] and also cheer on their favorite players playing against them is something many NRL and Super League stars anticipate when they play in PNG.

Samoan International, New South Wales Blues, Penrith Panthers and PNG Chiefs 2028 bound Brian To’o is keen on ticking that box come Saturday, when he runs out with Toa Samoa to face the PNG Kumuls.

After touching down in Port Moresby yesterday, the four-time NRL premiership winner said he is humbled to play in front of passionate fans.

“If I have to put down to one word, I would say beautiful,” To’o said

“Beautiful place, and I am very blessed and honored to be here. I am very grateful to be amongst the people of PNG and the Samoan community here.”

“Given that we will be playing in that special stadium [Santos NFS], I know that from past games I’ve watched.”

“You can see how much it means to the people, and how much they really adore the sport.”

“The only thing I can do to honor them is putting up my best performance this week against the brothers from the Kumuls.”

Despite having way more NRL players than the Kumuls, To’o said they won’t be taking the Kumuls lightly.

“They are a massive team, you can see that by the purpose they have when they play for their country.”

“They put up a massive performance against Lebanon last week and it is obviously going to be a massive challenge for us and we just have to be prepared to bring that intensity.”