Different jersey, same leader: Why Yeo won't go changin'

New Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo has vowed to stay true to the leadership style that earned him the coveted role when he takes his team onto Suncorp Stadium to face Tonga on Friday.

With four premierships to his name as co-captain of the Panthers alongside Nathan Cleary, the 29-year-old has proven himself an inspirational leader at club level, while also helping steer NSW to Origin victory in 2024 as Jake Trbojevic's vice-captain.

"Nothing changes, I keep myself accountable first and off the back of that you can hold others to account as well," Yeo said.

"That's the way I have always led in clubland and also when I was lucky enough to vice-captain for NSW.

I know a lot of the players, so the respect is already there, and I can lean on my experience in big games."

When it comes to big matches, they don't get any more important for Mal Meninga's Australian side than the showdown with the powerful Tonga side in their first outing since a 30-0 loss to the Kiwis in last year's Pacific Championships final.

Losing to a Kiwi side featuring Joey Manu, Jahrome Hughes, Joe Tapine and James Fisher-Harris was no disgrace but it was the manner of the defeat that left the Kangaroos in a state of shock.

The 30-point margin represented Australia's heaviest defeat in 115 years of Test football and they had waited almost a year to get a shot at redemption.

"That was a big wake-up call for us and we know we need to be better," Yeo said.

"The expectation when you put this jersey on is winning, but we know it won't be easy.

"This is probably the strongest squad Tonga have named in recent memory - they have a big, physical pack.

"The Pacific Championships is really helping to grow the game, especially with lots of guys choosing to go and play for Samoa and Tonga."

After the torrid tussle against Tonga, the Kangaroos square off against arch-rivals New Zealand in Christchurch, where Yeo will be greeted by premiership buddy turned rival Fisher-Harris.

One of the game's most respected props, Fisher-Harris is joining the Warriors in 2025 after 203 games and four premierships as a Panther.

"James has done a wonderful job with the Kiwis, he was leader for one year and they flogged us," Yeo said

"They are really building a culture and he is a very proud Kiwi man, helping to build another chapter in the rivalry between our two countries."

Another of the Panthers' premiership heroes ready to rip in during the Pacific Championships is Lindsay Smith, who has earned a Kangaroos debut on the back of an outstanding season with Ivan Cleary's team,

Smith played every game for the Panthers in 2024, averaging 104 running metres and 32 tackles per match, coming off the bench to keep his team on the front foot when Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota were rested.

"This has capped off an incredible two years for Lindsay and I'm extremely proud of him," Yeo said.

"He has a wonderful skill set for a middle forward and he has really started to show that.

"His confidence has grown and that has landed him an Australian jersey.

"It has been great to see his growth as a player and this is next step for him."