NRL grand final winner steals show in 'beautiful' post-game moment
Penrith winger Brian To'o has won the hearts of rugby league fans and more importantly, his partner, after an incredible moment after Sunday night's NRL grand final in Brisbane.
To'o turned up to Suncorp Stadium with an engagement ring and left with a premiership ring following his grand final proposal after Penrith's 14-12 victory in the NRL decider.
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Moments after the Panthers' gripping two-point win over South Sydney, To'o went to where his partner Moesha Crichton-Ropati was sitting in the crowd before getting on one knee and proposing.
Host broadcaster Channel Nine's cameras captured the magical moment, with fans watching and cheering from the crowd as To'o's partner choked back tears of joy.
"SHE SAID YES!" 💍
An incredible moment as Brian To'o proposes to his girlfriend after his Grand Final win. ❤️️
📺 #NRLGF | Live and EXCLUSIVE on Channel 9 and 9Now.#9WWOS #NRL #NRLFinals pic.twitter.com/LzusrMx3q6— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) October 3, 2021
In a double win for the NSW State of Origin star, a thrilled Crichton-Ropati promptly said 'yes' and happily accepted the ring that the Panthers star held out.
Viewers couldn't get enough of the lovely moment that capped off an exhilarating final game of the NRL season.
Grand final was a great game but the highlight was To'o and his proposal
— Aussie Jack Flash (Aiden) (@AussieJackFlash) October 3, 2021
To’o’s proposal at the end was a great moment
— Adrian Vickers (@AdrianVickers5) October 3, 2021
Brian To’o just oozes the power of positivity . Won Origin, the GF and a marriage proposal accepted #NRLGF #PantherPride
— Everybody Wang Chung Tonight 🇳🇴🇮🇸🇬🇩 (@Yes_IamSancho) October 3, 2021
The sideline proposal by @PenrithPanthers Brian To’o was a beautiful moment 💍 Love a bit of romance with my rugby league. #nrlgf
— Angela Bishop (@AngelaBishop) October 3, 2021
Oh my gosh didn’t even expect a proposal , but congrats to to’o and his partner #NRLGF
— theresa (@_theresaa___) October 3, 2021
Omg Brian To’o with the proposal 😍
— Sharon Good 🐶🦢🦠🦠 (@SharonEGood) October 3, 2021
I couldn’t be more here for the Brian To’o proposal and the “SHE SAID YES” that followed. Unreal 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 #NRLGF
— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) October 3, 2021
To’o is a ledge. God tier proposal
— jason nightingale (@bigjnighty) October 3, 2021
Marriage proposal caps off epic year
"Pretty happy that I've got a ring and she does as well," To'o said afterwards, revealing he planned to ask the question regardless of the result.
"I just told her she's the best thing that's ever happened to me then got down on one knee.
"I was planning to do it during Origin but due to COVID it didn't happen, so made the next step to push for a grand final."
Cricthon-Ropati is a cousin of To'o's teammate and grand final try-scoring hero Stephen Crichton, who helped him buy the ring.
"I thought that he was coming to give me a hug like he usually does," Moesha told the Nine Network.
"I wasn't expecting that at all."
To'o has often made reference to how important a role his partner has played in his career.
The 23-year-old defied an ongoing ankle issue to played a starring role in the Panthers' victory, picking up a game-high 235 metres in a typically hard-running contribution.
To'o said the win and proposal capped a year he will never forget.
"Everyone was buying into it, to put their bodies on the line to get where they are today," To'o said.
"Everyone was doubting us a little bit (after losing last year's final) but we had no problem, took it as a positive thing.
"It makes it 10 times for more special for (coach) Ivan (Cleary) ... he treats us all the same, like his own son."
with AAP
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