Panthers and Kangaroos star Isaah Yeo will likely miss the start of next season after electing to delay surgery on his injured pectoral muscle in order play in this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

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Yeo suffered a painful pec injury late in the regular season but mounted a miraculous return to play in the finals series.

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The star lock forward revealed to CODE Sports that he made the call to continue on with Australia’s World Cup campaign after Penrith’s heartbreaking loss to Newcastle in a preliminary final.

Yeo says a conversation with Panthers coach Ivan Cleary helped make his decision.

“It was off the back of a prelim, we lost, on the bus, and it was a two-minute conversation with Ivan. At the back seat, he goes, ‘Are you sweet to play?’ and I said, ‘Yes’, and he goes, ‘Perfect’,” Yeo said.

“It’s the sort of thing, I’ve not earned the right, that’s not the right word, but they trust me enough that I’ll be fit enough when I come back and if that’s missing the first couple of weeks, then I’d like to think I’ll be able to make up for that.”

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Yeo will undergo surgery in mid-November if Australia make the final but a date isn’t set in case their tournament ends earlier than expected.

“Fingers crossed it’s a five-week tour, and then within the first couple of days, hopefully I’ll get it done,” he said.

It means that Yeo will join Nathan Cleary on the sideline to begin Penrith’s 2027 season.

The pair have yet to confirm their futures with Penrith although Yeo has reportedly agreed to a three-year extension until the end of 2030.



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