Versatile Yeo pure ‘gold’ for Freddy

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

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

This is where Yeo, a lock, 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.”

Fittler will use the tough Panthers forward (pictured) 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 a career that started in 2014 at Penrith.

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

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

“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.

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