Penrith winger Brian To'o criticised over sexualised Instagram comments about teammates' partners

Penrith Panthers winger Brian To'o has been criticised after making sexualised comments on Instagram posts featuring several teammates and their partners following the club's awards night on Tuesday.

To'o replied to story posts with a series of off-colour remarks that referenced the first names of players' partners. He described halfback Nathan Cleary with terms such as "Fowler smasher" and used emoji alongside the comment. Similar remarks targeted Scott Sorensen's wife Elle, Matt Eisenhuth's wife Holly, Tom Jenkins's partner Jessica and NSW Cup player of the year Luke Sommerton's partner Keira, using labels that social media users described as demeaning and sexist.

The Panthers declined to comment when contacted, and To'o was also approached for a response. Instagram users expressed outrage at the remarks, with some suggesting To'o may have intended to send direct messages rather than public replies. Comments on the posts called the language "gross" and urged other players to publicly address the conduct.

The comments were posted after the club's presentation, at which Cleary won the Merv Cartwright Medal as the Panthers' player of the year. Jenkins received the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination as well as the Members Player of the Year award. Eisenhuth took the Senior Education Award, Sommerton was named NSW Cup Player of the Year, and Sorensen was named Club Person of the Year.

The incident comes as Penrith prepare to travel to Auckland for a do-or-die NRL finals match against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday. The team has faced separate disruption this week after a Warriors supporters group posted the Panthers' likely accommodation and urged followers to target the location with fireworks, burnouts and noise in the early hours. Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron said the club was aware of the post, urged fans to "act responsibly while still supporting their clubs" and confirmed the matter had been reported to the NRL.

To'o has drawn scrutiny before for off-duty behaviour. Video footage from his December 2022 wedding circulated on social media showing an exchange in which To'o made an explicit remark to his wife, Moesha, in a clip that prompted comment at the time. A former Penrith teammate, Jarome Luai, issued a public apology after telling off-colour jokes about To'o at the same wedding, writing on Instagram that he was "ashamed" for his remarks and apologised to both families.

The Panthers did not indicate whether the club would take disciplinary action regarding the Instagram comments. The timing of the revelations, ahead of a knockout finals match, is likely to draw further attention from the NRL and the public. The club's on-field preparations and any official response will be watched closely in the lead-up to Saturday's fixture in Auckland.