Kiwis Loss Still Haunts Isaah Yeo

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Post on Oct 27, 2024

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The Sting of Defeat: How the 2022 Kiwis Loss Still Haunts Isaah Yeo

The sting of defeat can linger, especially when it comes to a Grand Final. For Panthers star Isaah Yeo, the 2022 NRL Grand Final loss to the Penrith Panthers is a wound that hasn't quite healed. The Kiwis' 26-24 victory over the Kangaroos, a game in which Yeo played a key role, remains a bittersweet memory.

Sure, Yeo's performance was stellar – 132 running metres, 31 tackles, and a try assist – but the pain of watching his team fall short of the ultimate prize, especially after leading by 18 points, still haunts him. "That loss, it was tough," Yeo admitted in a recent interview. "We put in so much effort, and to lose the way we did… it was heartbreaking."

The loss didn't just sting on a personal level. It also highlighted the challenges facing the Kiwis. The Kangaroos, despite trailing for most of the game, ultimately showed more composure and experience, capitalizing on the Kiwis' mistakes. This was a crucial learning experience for Yeo, who was playing in just his second Grand Final.

The 2022 Grand Final loss, though a devastating blow, has fueled Yeo's desire to succeed. He's using that experience as motivation to push himself harder, to become a more complete player, and to help the Kiwis reach the pinnacle of rugby league. "It's something I think about every day," he says. "It's not about revenge, but about using that loss to fuel my drive. I want to win, and I want to win for the Kiwis."

While the pain of that loss remains, Yeo is determined to turn it into a positive. He's using it as a catalyst for growth, a stepping stone to achieving his ultimate goal: lifting the NRL Grand Final trophy. The journey won't be easy, but with Yeo's unwavering determination and the lessons learned from that heart-wrenching defeat, the future for the Kiwis, and for Isaah Yeo, looks bright.