Latest news with #IsaahYeo
Sydney Morning Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
State of Origin 2025 LIVE updates: Blues win series opener with 18-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium
The Blues have taken a 1-0 lead in the 2025 State of Origin series after Isaah Yeo led his team to victory at Suncorp Stadium.
ABC News
28-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
NSW State of Origin skipper Isaah Yeo lauded ahead 2025 series opener
Paul Gallen has labelled Isaah Yeo as one of the greatest locks of all time, as the NSW star prepares to become the next number 13 to captain the Blues. Yeo will lead NSW against Queensland for the first time on Wednesday night in the State of Origin series opener at Lang Park. In doing so, the four-time Penrith premiership winner — who is also the Australian team captain — has a chance to tick off one of the last remaining feats available to him — leading NSW to Origin success. The Blues enter Origin I as favourites to defend the shield. "He (Yeo) will be remembered as one of the greats and he deserves it," said Gallen, who was the last lock to captain the Blues. "He is brilliant. The thing about Yeo-y is he is known as a ball-playing lock, but he is more than that. "He has the ability to play front row. He can play that hard role. If you're 10 metres out from your own line and you need someone to have a hit up, he will do it. "But when you're in the 20-metre zone attacking the tryline, he comes alive. He is alive all over the field. "He's got every part of the game you need to be remembered as a great forward." Dubbo-born Yeo is often overshadowed by the likes of Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary. But many NRL observers believe 30-year-old Yeo deserves as much recognition. It was in that vein former NSW enforcer Mark Geyer labelled Yeo an Immortal-in-waiting this week, a stance backed by Yeo's first Penrith captain Peter Wallace. "The lock position, we know now, is pretty much because of Isaah Yeo," said former Blues halfback Wallace, who is now an assistant at Penrith. "Even in 2020, all forwards passed but there wasn't a link man in the middle. He was one of the first who excelled in doing that role. "And then he has gone on to win four premierships in a row, captain his country and his state now. Won series with both as well. "When you think about the Immortals, those Immortals that have been named, Yeoy has done just as much." AAP
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
NSW State of Origin stars shoot down shocking claim about Nathan Cleary
NSW have declared Nathan Cleary has nothing to prove at State of Origin level, adamant the Penrith halfback has already shown he can stand up on any stage. Cleary will return to the Origin arena for the first time in almost two years on Wednesday night, as the Blues begin the defence of the Shield at Suncorp Stadium. The 27-year-old will partner up with Mitch Moses for the first time after the Eels halfback led the Blues to victory in Cleary's injury-enforced absence last year. Cleary is widely regarded as the best player in the world, leading the Penrith dynasty and taking the club to four straight premierships. Some of the No.7's best football has come since his last Origin match, including carrying Penrith to their comeback win over Brisbane in the 2023 grand final. But even then the halfback had to answer questions of late whether he has ever owned an Origin series since his debut in 2018. In that time Cleary has had a 7-7 winning record for NSW, helping take the Blues to series wins in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The main criticism of Cleary is he is yet to taste victory in either of the two deciders he has played, while most of his NSW wins have been in one-sided games. 'It seems to be the common thread, and is talked about in the lead-up. But us internally, he's crossed most (final frontiers),' NSW captain Isaah Yeo said. 'The four premierships and carrying us to the 2023 one was a pretty fair one in itself. He has won World Cups, three State of Origin series. 'We have seen it on the biggest stages we could have - that being grand finals. 'Whether it is just taking control of grand finals, whether it is game management ... his ball-playing, his kicking, choosing the moments.' Cleary's on-field bodyguard at both Penrith and NSW, Liam Martin also rejected the suggestion the halfback has something to prove. 'It's rubbish,' Martin said. 'There are 16 other players. We haven't been great over the years with games we should have won but haven't. That's everyone's responsibility. 'I don't think he has anything to prove. He is the best player in the game. I am sure he will be looking to go out and kill it. And I am sure he will.' Blues coach Laurie Daley also leapt to the defence of his halfback on Tuesday, pointing out Cleary has won Origin series before. NSW have received good news with powerhouse prop Payne Haas cleared to play, after overcoming a minor quad tear. Daley also remains 'quietly confident' centre Stephen Crichton will play, pending how he wakes up with a corked quad on Wednesday. NSW's bid to win a second straight game at Suncorp after last year's decider will likely boil down to how Cleary and Moses link, with both usually dominant halves. What kind of early ball the pair can give Latrell Mitchell will also likely be key, given the danger of NSW's left edge running at Queensland debutant Robert Toia. The Maroons will have Cameron Munster and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui back after they missed last year's series, but all eyes will remain on Toia's battle with Mitchell. 'It's a real strength of his game the defensive side,' Maroons coach Billy Slater said. 'Sure it's a big task, but he has a few strengths to outlay as well.
7NEWS
27-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NSW captain Isaah Yeo called ‘one of the greats' ahead of State of Origin opener
Paul Gallen has labelled Isaah Yeo as one of the greatest locks of all time as the NSW star prepares to become the next No.13 to captain the Blues. Six months after assuming the Australian captaincy, Yeo will lead NSW for the first time on Wednesday night in the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium. In doing so, the four-time Penrith premiership winner has a chance to tick off one of the last remaining feats available to him and lead NSW to Origin success. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today NSW enter Wednesday night as favourites to defend the shield with all eyes on how halves Mitch Moses and Nathan Cleary combine in their first game together. Yeo will be crucial to that as NSW's link man in the middle, while also leading the blue wall in defence. 'He will be remembered as one of the greats and he deserves it,' Gallen, who was the last lock to captain the Blues, said. 'He is brilliant. The thing about Yeoy is he is known as a ball-playing lock, but he is more than that. 'He has the ability to play front row. He can play that hard role. If you're 10 metres out from your own line and you need someone to have a hit up, he will do it. 'But when you're in the 20-metre zone attacking the tryline, he comes alive. He is alive all over the field. 'He's got every part of the game you need to be remembered as a great forward.' The No.13 is often overshadowed by the likes of Cleary at Penrith, but those close to the game believe the 30-year-old deserves as much recognition. It was in that vein former NSW hard man Mark Geyer labelled Yeo an Immortal-in-waiting this week, a stance backed by Yeo's first Penrith captain Peter Wallace. 'The lock position we know now is pretty much because of Isaah Yeo,' former Blues halfback Wallace, who is now an assistant at Penrith, said. 'Even in 2020, all forwards passed but there wasn't a link man in the middle. He was one of the first who excelled in doing that role. 'And then he has gone on to win four premierships in a row, captain his country and his state now. Won series with both as well. 'When you think about the Immortals, those Immortals that have been named, Yeoy has done just as much.' By his own admission, Yeo is uncomfortable when it comes to adulation. The Dubbo product has long insisted his career goal was to outdo his father Justin and play more than 11 NRL games. But after debuting as a centre and playing second row until the start of 2020, Yeo has done far more than that. 'He's absolutely one of the best, if not the best lock of all time,' Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. 'He plays 80 minutes week in week out, even at training doesn't skip a session at training. 'He just doesn't stop. He will be absolutely knackered. Then you see him get the ball and just carry three blokes 10 or 15 metres. 'He doesn't miss a tackle, maybe misses one every five weeks. 'He's reliable, you know what you'll get every week and he is someone you want to put your body on the line for. It's pretty special to play alongside him.'
The Advertiser
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Gallen puts Yeo among all-time best as No.13 leads NSW
Paul Gallen has labelled Isaah Yeo as one of the greatest locks of all time as the NSW star prepares to become the next No.13 to captain the Blues. Six months after assuming the Australian captaincy, Yeo will lead NSW for the first time on Wednesday night in the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium. In doing so, the four-time Penrith premiership winner has a chance to tick off one of the last remaining feats available to him and lead NSW to Origin success. NSW enter Wednesday night as favourites to defend the shield with all eyes on how halves Mitch Moses and Nathan Cleary combine in their first game together. Yeo will be crucial to that as NSW's link man in the middle, while also leading the blue wall in defence. "He will be remembered as one of the greats and he deserves it," Gallen, who was the last lock to captain the Blues, said. "He is brilliant. The thing about Yeoy is he is known as a ball-playing lock, but he is more than that. "He has the ability to play front row. He can play that hard role. If you're 10 metres out from your own line and you need someone to have a hit up, he will do it. "But when you're in the 20-metre zone attacking the tryline, he comes alive. He is alive all over the field. "He's got every part of the game you need to be remembered as a great forward." The No.13 is often overshadowed by the likes of Cleary at Penrith, but those close to the game believe the 30-year-old deserves as much recognition. It was in that vein former NSW hard man Mark Geyer labelled Yeo an Immortal-in-waiting this week, a stance backed by Yeo's first Penrith captain Peter Wallace. "The lock position we know now is pretty much because of Isaah Yeo," former Blues halfback Wallace, who is now an assistant at Penrith, said. "Even in 2020, all forwards passed but there wasn't a link man in the middle. He was one of the first who excelled in doing that role. "And then he has gone on to win four premierships in a row, captain his country and his state now. Won series with both as well. "When you think about the Immortals, those Immortals that have been named, Yeoy has done just as much." By his own admission, Yeo is uncomfortable when it comes to adulation. The Dubbo product has long insisted his career goal was to outdo his father Justin and play more than 11 NRL games. But after debuting as a centre and playing second row until the start of 2020, Yeo has done far more than that. "He's absolutely one of the best, if not the best lock of all time," Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. "He plays 80 minutes week in week out, even at training doesn't skip a session at training. "He just doesn't stop. He will be absolutely knackered. Then you see him get the ball and just carry three blokes 10 or 15 metres. "He doesn't miss a tackle, maybe misses one every five weeks. "He's reliable, you know what you'll get every week and he is someone you want to put your body on the line for. It's pretty special to play alongside him." Paul Gallen has labelled Isaah Yeo as one of the greatest locks of all time as the NSW star prepares to become the next No.13 to captain the Blues. Six months after assuming the Australian captaincy, Yeo will lead NSW for the first time on Wednesday night in the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium. In doing so, the four-time Penrith premiership winner has a chance to tick off one of the last remaining feats available to him and lead NSW to Origin success. NSW enter Wednesday night as favourites to defend the shield with all eyes on how halves Mitch Moses and Nathan Cleary combine in their first game together. Yeo will be crucial to that as NSW's link man in the middle, while also leading the blue wall in defence. "He will be remembered as one of the greats and he deserves it," Gallen, who was the last lock to captain the Blues, said. "He is brilliant. The thing about Yeoy is he is known as a ball-playing lock, but he is more than that. "He has the ability to play front row. He can play that hard role. If you're 10 metres out from your own line and you need someone to have a hit up, he will do it. "But when you're in the 20-metre zone attacking the tryline, he comes alive. He is alive all over the field. "He's got every part of the game you need to be remembered as a great forward." The No.13 is often overshadowed by the likes of Cleary at Penrith, but those close to the game believe the 30-year-old deserves as much recognition. It was in that vein former NSW hard man Mark Geyer labelled Yeo an Immortal-in-waiting this week, a stance backed by Yeo's first Penrith captain Peter Wallace. "The lock position we know now is pretty much because of Isaah Yeo," former Blues halfback Wallace, who is now an assistant at Penrith, said. "Even in 2020, all forwards passed but there wasn't a link man in the middle. He was one of the first who excelled in doing that role. "And then he has gone on to win four premierships in a row, captain his country and his state now. Won series with both as well. "When you think about the Immortals, those Immortals that have been named, Yeoy has done just as much." By his own admission, Yeo is uncomfortable when it comes to adulation. The Dubbo product has long insisted his career goal was to outdo his father Justin and play more than 11 NRL games. But after debuting as a centre and playing second row until the start of 2020, Yeo has done far more than that. "He's absolutely one of the best, if not the best lock of all time," Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. "He plays 80 minutes week in week out, even at training doesn't skip a session at training. "He just doesn't stop. He will be absolutely knackered. Then you see him get the ball and just carry three blokes 10 or 15 metres. "He doesn't miss a tackle, maybe misses one every five weeks. "He's reliable, you know what you'll get every week and he is someone you want to put your body on the line for. It's pretty special to play alongside him." Paul Gallen has labelled Isaah Yeo as one of the greatest locks of all time as the NSW star prepares to become the next No.13 to captain the Blues. Six months after assuming the Australian captaincy, Yeo will lead NSW for the first time on Wednesday night in the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium. In doing so, the four-time Penrith premiership winner has a chance to tick off one of the last remaining feats available to him and lead NSW to Origin success. NSW enter Wednesday night as favourites to defend the shield with all eyes on how halves Mitch Moses and Nathan Cleary combine in their first game together. Yeo will be crucial to that as NSW's link man in the middle, while also leading the blue wall in defence. "He will be remembered as one of the greats and he deserves it," Gallen, who was the last lock to captain the Blues, said. "He is brilliant. The thing about Yeoy is he is known as a ball-playing lock, but he is more than that. "He has the ability to play front row. He can play that hard role. If you're 10 metres out from your own line and you need someone to have a hit up, he will do it. "But when you're in the 20-metre zone attacking the tryline, he comes alive. He is alive all over the field. "He's got every part of the game you need to be remembered as a great forward." The No.13 is often overshadowed by the likes of Cleary at Penrith, but those close to the game believe the 30-year-old deserves as much recognition. It was in that vein former NSW hard man Mark Geyer labelled Yeo an Immortal-in-waiting this week, a stance backed by Yeo's first Penrith captain Peter Wallace. "The lock position we know now is pretty much because of Isaah Yeo," former Blues halfback Wallace, who is now an assistant at Penrith, said. "Even in 2020, all forwards passed but there wasn't a link man in the middle. He was one of the first who excelled in doing that role. "And then he has gone on to win four premierships in a row, captain his country and his state now. Won series with both as well. "When you think about the Immortals, those Immortals that have been named, Yeoy has done just as much." By his own admission, Yeo is uncomfortable when it comes to adulation. The Dubbo product has long insisted his career goal was to outdo his father Justin and play more than 11 NRL games. But after debuting as a centre and playing second row until the start of 2020, Yeo has done far more than that. "He's absolutely one of the best, if not the best lock of all time," Penrith and NSW second-rower Liam Martin said. "He plays 80 minutes week in week out, even at training doesn't skip a session at training. "He just doesn't stop. He will be absolutely knackered. Then you see him get the ball and just carry three blokes 10 or 15 metres. "He doesn't miss a tackle, maybe misses one every five weeks. "He's reliable, you know what you'll get every week and he is someone you want to put your body on the line for. It's pretty special to play alongside him."
