State of Origin 2018: NSW prop David Klemmer meets former Rabbitoh and NFL player Jordan Mailata
RARELY does David Klemmer bump into somebody bigger than him but that’s what happened when the 198cm prop caught up with former South Sydney under 20s player Jordan Mailata this week.
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IT was the meeting between the Blues’ biggest player and the man mountain set for the rich and glamorous NFL.
Rarely does David Klemmer bump into somebody bigger than him but that’s what happened when the 198cm prop caught up with former South Sydney under 20s player Jordan Mailata at Coogee this week.
At 2.03m, or six foot eight in the old money, Mailata is a colossus and bigger than any Queenslanders Klemmer will deal with in Origin on Sunday.
Dylan Napa, who stands at 198cm and weighs 113kg, is the biggest Maroon Klemmer will lock horns with this weekend.
A Samoan Australian, Mailata, 21, was drafted by the Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles in this year’s American football draft. He is ready to storm the ultra-competitive NFL.
But rugby league still remains close to his heart and he can’t wait for game two at ANZ Stadium.
“I wouldn’t miss Sunday night for the world,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
He is back in Australian during the NFL off-season and spent time this week with Klemmer inside the NSW camp.
Tipping the scales at 160kg, Mailata is one of the few blokes to outweigh Klemmer.
The Eagles offensive tackle will be front and centre on Sunday night, cheering and supporting his NSW Blues.
Daily Telegraph league reporter caught up with David Klemmer at NSW training …
Did I mention I was small? ðŸ’🻠pic.twitter.com/GwkFPSi7tS
— Fatima Kdouh (@FatimaKdouh_) June 21, 2018
“The Blues, they’re my favourite team. I’m a diehard Blues fan. Born and bred in NSW … Bankstown boy,” Mailata told The Daily Telegraph. “You have to always remain true to your roots.
“I have to support my boys, the Blues. I can’t wait to watch the game this weekend, it’s going to be awesome, especially with Freddie (Fittler), the new staff and a whole new team.
“I have loved State of Origin since I was a young kid. I grew up playing rugby league.
“I will definitely be there, yes sir. I am home for a couple of weeks and wouldn’t miss it for the world. The Blues will win, all-the-way. They seem like they’ve got it all together this year.
“They have formed a new brotherhood and that is one thing I have taken away from playing with the Rabbitohs.
“That is the one thing they focus on at the Eagles — the brotherhood. That brings the team together. The stronger the team is, the better output you get on the field. I strongly believe it,” said Mailata, who was the 233rd pick in the NFL’s seventh round draft.
And his achievement in being drafted is more meritorious given he is yet to play an NFL game.
Mailata is adamant the toughness and resilience of rugby league gave him the necessary assets to crack the powerful NFL.
“One-hundred per cent,” he said. “It has given me skills that have me, I guess, somewhat athletic and made me more able to adapt to the game (NFL) quicker.”
Mailata is preparing for the greatest challenge of his short life — conquering America.
“I am still pinching myself,” he said. “I can’t believe I am living this life.
“I know it’s a start but I just need to keep my head down, keep focused and remember that I have just started and I have a long way to go.
“There will definitely be a lot of competition. It’s keeping me on my toes and keeping me focused.”
Mailata’s older brother, Daniel, played juniors at Canterbury with Klemmer, who is full of admiration for Mailata.
“Seeing how big he is, he’s a natural athlete,” Klemmer said. “It’s a big thing, what he is doing. He is taking a big risk and I really admire him for that. It’s amazing and he’s is doing his family very proud.
“He is confident and believes in himself — that’s a big thing. Just talking to him, he’s excited. He’s willing to work hard for what he’s got.
“I will follow his journey and hopefully get to one of his games one day, that would be awesome.”
Mailata has always been a Rabbitohs fan.
“I support the Bunnies — they are gong really well this year,” he said. “It’s good to see. Every time I come home I watch the ‘catch-ups’ (relays) or just watch matches with the family.”
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