State of Origin 2020: NSW Blues to use debutant Isaah Yeo as bench utility

NSW have gone back to the drawing board after their embarrassing loss to an inexperienced Maroons side, taking a massive gamble by relying on Isaah Yeo as a bench utility for the must-win clash.

NSW Blues coach Freddie Fittler will be relying on Panthers star Isaah Yeo as more than just a back-up middle forward against the Maroons on Wednesday night.

Fittler has surprisingly not named a utility on the bench to cover for injuries to the halves or hooker.

Normally you’d have a Craig Wing type who can cover so many positions.

This is where Yeo, a specialist lock forward, will be the key player as NSW’s version of Kurt Capewell.

“He is like a piece of gold to this footy team,” Fittler said, “Not many players have the ability to handle the middle, on an edge or in the centres. I’d back him to play anywhere.”

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NSW will rely on Isaah Yeo as a bench utility for Origin II with no true backs on the interchange. Picture: Getty Images.

Fittler will use the tough Panthers forward in the centres and move Jack Wighton to five-eighth if necessary to cover for Nathan Cleary, Cody Walker or Damien Cook.

It is similar to what the Maroons did with Capewell, a specialist edge forward, who had a blinder in the centres in Adelaide. He was close to being the best player on the field.

Yeo has played 23 games in the centres and one on the wing earlier in his career that started in 2014 at Penrith.

He’s played 118 games in the forwards and nine off the bench.

“Isaah will handle it no worries,” said Fittler’s Blues assistant Greg Alexander.

“He’s big, strong and he’s got pace. We hope we don’t need him as a centre but that’s the back-up plan if we’ve got to go that way.

“He’ll get the job done for us wherever he plays.

“It might be his State of Origin debut but he thrives on big game pressure.”

The Blues have trained at various stages with Yeo in the backline in case it is required.

Ironically Yeo’s only appearance in representative football was as a winger for Country against City in 2016 as a late inclusion when he was 18th man.

Panthers Isaah Yeo spent time in the centres and on the wing early in his career.

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“I’m not real good under the high ball so I was pretty nervous,” Yeo said, “They knew I’d play wing for Dubbo CYMS in first grade.

“These days you’ve just got to take the opportunity whatever position it is.”

As Fittler says there are few players at the highest level who can cope with such a variety of positions. Most middle forwards don’t have the sharpness or athleticism to play wider in a backline.

“We just know he’ll get the job done,” Fittler said.