Brian To'o is one score away from surpassing Michael O'Connor, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Addo-Carr as the top try-scorer in New South Wales Origin history. Despite a shaky start in Game I with three errors, the Penrith winger recovered to finish with 185 metres and 10 tackle busts, showcasing his resilience and consistency. He can break the record in Game II at the MCG.
Brian To'o is one score away from becoming New South Wales's greatest ever try-scorer. Brian To'o is one try away from surpassing Michael O'Connor, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Addo-Carr as the top try-scorer in New South Wales Origin history.
The Penrith winger can pass the mark, which has stood since O'Connor's retirement in 1991, in Game II at the MCG next Wednesday. If you want a measure on Brian To'o's place in New South Wales Origin history just look at how he went in Game I. It was far from a vintage To'o performance. In fact, with three errors in the first half, it was decidedly against type for one of the best wingers the Blues have ever known.
There was no vitriol from the Blues fans who can be so quick to turn on their own and so slow to forgive any failing. It was just disbelief. These things might happen to other players but not to To'o, never to To'o, and two weeks later, even though New South Wales got up and that's what matters most, To'o still shakes his head when he thinks about it.
"There were some early errors that really affected the boys in that first half," To'o said. "You need to have the same mindset daily, putting the team first and your family first, to get through those hard times. "I needed to reconnect with myself to be strong in the second half and that's what I did.
" To'o managed to shake off his rough start to resume normal service and he finished with 185 metres and 10 tackle busts, the most of any player on either team, from his 21 runs. For To'o, the best in the world at what he does and a two-time winner of the Brad Fittler Medal as Blues player of the series, such is his greatness and consistency that it averaged out to about par.
He has reached the rarefied air where he's good enough even on a bad day, and those bad days are few and far between. Midway through his sixth Origin series, To'o is one of the few active New South Wales players who would demand inclusion in an all-time Blues team and ahead of Game II at the MCG he has a chance to break one of the longest-standing records in Origin history.
To'o currently has 11 tries in sky blue, putting him level with Michael O'Connor, Jarryd Hayne and Josh Addo-Carr for the most by any New South Wales Origin player. Since O'Connor's last match in 1991 that mark has stood the test of time through 35 years, proving to be astonishingly resilient even as footballing careers grow longer.
The appearance record for both states, as well the Queensland try-scoring and point-scoring marks have all fallen since but O'Connor's total is yet to be beaten despite the challenges of Hayne and Addo-Carr. Along with O'Connor's Blues pointscoring mark of 129 it's the last major career Origin record left standing from the 1990s.
At 27 and with his track record, last year he accomplished the rare feat of scoring in all three matches of a series, To'o seems certain to take it down and could do so as soon as Wednesday night. Getty Images: Renee McKay"It would be crazy, to look back at some of the past players of the game and see my family name up there with them would be pretty cool," To'o said.
"Being able to put on this jersey means so much to myself and my family. Being able to honour the jersey and the state is important but having my last name within the Blues family, it's so cool. Even if he surpasses O'Connor, Hayne and Addo-Carr in Origin II, To'o's work will be far from done.
Twelve tries would put him equal fourth on the all-time Origin list and there's still a fair distance to Queensland record-holder Greg Inglis on 18.. Scoring tries is just one part of his game and as he trucks the ball out of his own end again and again, bouncing off defenders that seem twice his size, it's a constant reminder that his guts aren't the only part of him that's made of iron.
Sometimes it defies belief but according to To'o it's his own belief that makes him strong and has taken him to the cusp of putting his name high in Blues history.
"You have a responsibility to honour this jersey and protect it. I take a lot of pride in that and playing my best for my family and my state," To'o said.
"I'm a big believer in my lord and saviour Jesus Christ. He gives me the strength. He anoints me to do great things on the field.
Please follow us on Google to support us Brian To'o NSW Origin Try-Scoring Record Rugby League Blues
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Grave fears’: NSW great’s warning for Blues if Daley ignores crucial team switch — Origin Daily‘Grave fears’: NSW great’s warning for Blues if Daley ignores crucial team switch — Origin Daily
Read more »
Blues swing shock change for Origin as Crichton drops outNSW coach Laurie Daley is putting his faith in a debutant for game two next week.
Read more »
Payne Haas set to play NSW with father now free after extradition haltedBlues prop Payne Haas will have his father Gregor watch him play in the Origin series after Gregor Haas was released from jail in the Philippines. Gregor was facing extradition to Indonesia on drug charges that carried the death penalty. His release follows arrest in May 2024 for alleged methamphetamine smuggling. Haas also discusses his mother's ongoing imprisonment and his role caring for his children.
Read more »
NSW Premier Chris Minns not referred for prosecution over 2015 campaign donationsThe NSW Electoral Commission confirmed that two individuals, former MP Ernest Wong and former Labor staffer Jonathan Yee, will be prosecuted for donations linked to Premier Chris Minns's 2015 election campaign. Minns himself will not face legal action. The commission stated only two matters were referred to prosecutors, and details about statements from the premier were withheld.
Read more »