Origin hardman David Klemmer reveals he swears loudly in his sleep
REAGAN Campbell-Gillard has replaced Aaron Woods as David Klemmer’s Origin prop partner and roommate, and he’s had to deal with the big man’s bizarre nigthtime habit.
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THEY were once simply drawn willy-nilly from a hat.
Who would room together on a footy trip.
Well, not anymore.
The NSW Blues’ accommodation decisions are done with precision these days.
When two players are placed together it’s for a specific reason — whether it be their personalities or their on-field positions.
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The NSW team is holed up at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne, just a short walk to the MCG, where they will take on Queensland in the crucial State of Origin opener.
They take up an entire floor.
When NSW coach Brad Fittler and adviser Greg Alexander sat down to pick their team for game one, they also spoke at length about which players should room with each other — and why.
“Freddie and I did it when we picked the side,” Alexander said, having placed the players into their rooms in Coogee last week and keeping the arrangements in Melbourne.
“We have roomed edges — Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr will play together.
“James Roberts and Tommy Trbojevic — they’ll be together on the right edge.
“We didn’t room the halves — Jimmy Maloney and Nathan Cleary. We put Jimmy with Teddy (fullback James Tedesco).
“They will be working a lot together during the game.
“David Klemmer and Reagan Campbell-Gillard — two front rowers together.”
Campbell-Gillard and Klemmer certainly have the most unusual room.
“I actually talk in my sleep — I think I’m the worst room-mate,” Klemmer said. “I yell expletives … very loudly. I did it again last night.
“He (Campbell-Gillard) is used to it by now and he just tries to calm down. He says: “Dave, Dave, Dave, he just tries to reassure me where I am, I’m in the hotel room.
“I have had it since I was a little boy. It’s pretty normal for me but it’s also pretty scary.”
Despite Klemmer’s nocturnal utterings, Campbell-Gillard has enjoyed rooming with the Bulldogs giant.
“I can hear ‘Klem’ snore if he goes down first,” said Campbell-Gillard. “I’m a heavy breather as well. We’re very quiet and just keep to ourselves.”
Klemmer usually roomed with his old mate, Aaron Woods, who missed selection this year.
Potentially the quietest room on the floor is Cleary rooming with Frizell. Both are well-mannered, respectful and will be alongside each other tonight.
“We wanted to put Nathan with Tyson Frizell because they will defend together,” Alexander said.
Cleary is a more than capable defender but will take confidence from having Blues hitman Frizell on his flank.
Management felt Cleary may have remained in a comfort zone of sorts if he was lumped in with Panthers teammate Maloney.
One of the perks of being captain, Boyd Cordner has the luxury of enjoying his own room.
Hooker Damien Cook and lock Jack de Belin will work alongside one another in the middle
Angus Crichton and Tyron Peachey are in together as NSW debutants, while shadow players Nick Cotric and Tariq Sims have lived their experience together.
“Camp has been a great experience,” Peachey said.
NSW players were given the day off on Monday and enjoyed some down time on a chilly Melbourne day. They had their final training session at the MCG yesterday before retiring to their assigned rooms to complete their preparations.