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Yeo reveals World Cup stance, contract timeline
Scott Bailey, AAP • September 1st, 2026 7:20 pm
World Cup hopeful Isaah Yeo is doing his best to return from a pectoral problem for Penrith | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Isaah Yeo is refusing to close the door on captaining Australia at the Rugby League World Cup as the Penrith lock looks to wrap up a contract extension and make his comeback for the Panthers.
Yeo has been named on an extended bench for Sunday's final regular-season game against Wests Tigers, as he aims to return from a pectoral issue that has seen him miss the last three weeks of NRL action.
The most likely scenario for Yeo is the Panthers keep him on ice until the a sudden-death final, much like Penrith did in 2023 with Jarome Luai's shoulder injury.
Yeo avoided surgery, with Penrith hoping to nurse the 31-year-old through the finals series, before deciding if and when he would go under the knife.
The World Cup, which kicks off when the Kangaroos face New Zealand on October 15, could play a factor with Yeo hopeful of featuring if he can get through Penrith's finals campaign without further aggravating his injury.
Isaah Yeo has watched his side with interest from the sidelines | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"If I get back out on the field and I can perform, then obviously I would still put my hand up for the World Cup and go from there," Yeo said.
"Obviously that's a conversation for down the track. I'm just trying to get back for Penrith at the moment and see how we go from there.
"I have never done anything like that before, so it's a little bit of the unknown. But it's travelling well. I'd like to think that bodes well, but we'll just wait and see."
Yeo's month-long absence has given the lock a chance to sit down with club powerbrokers and discuss his future.
The Panthers co-captain is a free agent on November 1, but appears set on staying put rather than testing his value on the open market.
Yeo turns 32 later this year, meaning his next deal is probably going to be his last as one of the club's top earners.
Isaah Yeo has played 283 NRL games for Penrith, having debuted way back in 2014 | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
His decision to remain loyal will likely have a flow-on effect at Penrith in their quest to retain a who's who of off contract stars headlined by Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota and Liam Martin.
"There have certainly been talks and they've all been really positive. So that would be nice to get that and get back playing as well," Yeo said.
"This has obviously given me a bit of time to get that all nutted out.
"It's obviously been beneficial that I haven't been playing and I have been able to have talks like that.
"It would be nice to get back to playing and have that all sorted as well."
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of Rugby League World Cup 2026 this October and November - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
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