Isaah Yeo had not even left the training field on Monday when Wallabies coach Les Kiss made a beeline for the Kangaroos skipper.
Kiss has followed the career of the Penrith, NSW and Australia captain after the Wallabies mentor coached his father, Justin, in the lower grades at North Sydney almost three decades ago.
Yeo jnr and Kiss had not met until the hot Monday at Sydney Olympic Park, where the Wallabies were due to hit the training paddock straight after their rugby league counterparts.
If Reece Walsh running at fullback – and Clive Churchill Medallist James Tedesco being reduced to a glorified spectator at training – was the first surprise of the morning, the second came when Kiss had his impromptu chat with Yeo.
Kiss said the Wallabies would try to be at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, where 40,000 fans are expected to watch the Rugby League World Cup opener between the Kangaroos and New Zealand, before the Wallabies take on the All Blacks on Saturday.
The All Blacks are staying at the same Double Bay hotel as the Kangaroos.
“I coached Justin, Isaah’s dad – he was a really handy player, and not too dissimilar in build to Isaah,” Kiss said. “He was really skilful ... and always disciplined. I can understand why Isaah is like he is.
“Obviously, once I saw the Yeo name in the NRL, I followed him [Isaah] closely.
“He’s quality on every level. His game craft is unbelievable, but also his leadership – he’s certainly done things that make him the heart and soul of Penrith. The other boys around him grow because of him.”
Yeo, who joked his dad had constantly reminded him about his playing days and being coached by Kiss, is playing through the pain of a ruptured pec, which will require surgery once the World Cup is over.
Yeo trained in the middle with Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, while Liam Martin and Jacob Preston were the edge back-rowers, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Bostock the backs on the left, and Kotoni Staggs and Tom Trbojevic on the right. Staggs, however, required some running repairs for an ongoing knee injury, but was able to complete the second half of the hitout against a France team that is being helped out by premiership winner Trent Robinson.
Kiss and Yeo backed coach Kevin Walters’ likely decision to start Walsh at fullback against the Kiwis, with the captain quick to point out that Penrith’s premiership players were rested for the first game of the World Cup in 2022.
Australian officials confirmed Tedesco is not carrying any injuries.
“I think they both give something slightly different: Tedesco in that Origin when he took the ball [to score at the end of game one], and what he’s done for the Roosters, he’s just quality,” Kiss said.
“And Reece Walsh won [Brisbane] a grand final last year. He’s someone who will only get better, and I love his eyes – he sees and knows how to sniff an opportunity, then uses his gas [speed].”
Yeo said of Walters’ first looming World Cup selection shock: “Both players are Clive Churchill Medal winners, they’ve both won grand finals and are elite, and they both bring something different.
“Reece has that speed out the back and his decision-making puts people under pressure on an edge.
“Regardless of which way Kevvie goes, we’re lucky with that spot.
“I also remember the 2022 World Cup and there were no grand final players that first game.
“As much as everyone will talk about [the No.1 debate], and it’s fair, but back then, no Penrith players played in the first game for Australia.
“It’s a long tournament, the Roosters had a busy finish to the year, Sam Walker had his ankle and Teddy with his performances through the back end of the series. The Roosters also didn’t have a week off [during the finals]. Everybody will get an opportunity.”
New Zealand players said they would try to make Walsh cover plenty of ground at the back in what will be his first game since injuring his ankle on August 15.