The announcement was made at a media event in Moore Park on Monday morning, where Country coach Craig Fitzgibbon and City Origin coach Brad Fittler revealed their 18-man squads for Sunday's contest.

The former St John's junior has been strong for the Penrith Panthers in 2016 since signing with the club in 2013, with Yeo a member of that year's Holden Cup winning team before making his NRL debut the following year.

But despite his form of recent years, Yeo said the representative call-up came out of the blue.

"I didn't see it coming to be honest," he said.

"I was just focusing on my performances for Penrith and just trying to stay in that team - we've got a lot of depth up front and on the outsides.

"To get the country call-up honestly has blown my mind and I'm very proud to be representing Country."

It's a dream-come-true for the Dubbo product who admits he struggled to make representative sides as a junior.

But those days seem to be long gone.

"As a kid you always want to, you always dream big but I was more focused on making the Country side in my age groups," he said.

"It's been a lot of work to get here but it's very exciting to get to fulfil a childhood dream."

Also lining up for Country under the stewardship of coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be Orange CYMS product Jack Wighton, Young Cherry Pickers' junior Jordan McLean and former Cowra Magpie Shannon Boyd.

James Maloney, who captained Country to a win in 2015, has been named in halves alongside Cronulla teammate Jack Bird, while Boyd Cordner - who made an NRL return on Anzac Day after a torn pectoral muscle ruled him out for almost three months - will start in jersey number 12.

News of his selection was first delivered to Yeo by Panthers' strength trainer David Boyle, who told Yeo he had made the 18-man squad, before Penrith's National Youth Competition (NYC) coach Cameron Ciraldo confirmed he would be playing out on the wing.

It's unfamiliar territory for the talented second-rower, but he said he was looking forward to the challenge.

"If I'm playing on the wing it's probably my versatility [that attracted the coaches]," Yeo said.

"I've played a couple of positions this year - I've played in the second row, centre and lock.

"I'm just focused on playing consistent footy for my club and it's nice that obviously the selectors have noticed."

The side will head to Tamworth on Tuesday afternoon before training gets under way on Wednesday morning.

The Country representatives will spend time gelling as a team, visiting local schools and treating the North Tamworth Bears to an opposed ball session, all in preparation for Sunday's contest.

Lining up against Yeo in the City Origin side will be Panthers teammates Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Leilani Latu, Josh Mansour, and former Wellington Cowboys junior Tyrone Peachey.

"It's going to be a bit tough playing against some of my best mates," he said.

"Obviously it means a lot for the Country boys and I know it means a lot for the City boys.

"But I'm especially looking forward to representing Country as best as I can."