State of Origin 2020: The star props set to replace David Klemmer for NSW Blues
Brad Fittler caused a major stir when he overlooked David Klemmer for the Blues squad — but New South Wales still have a plethora of front-row talent to choose from, including the Origin hero who played 80 minutes at prop in 2019.
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A disappointed Wade Graham won’t give up on playing again for NSW, declaring he’s only a phone call away if coach Brad Fittler ever needs him.
Most good judges felt that due to his premiership and Origin experience and value as a skilful ball-playing forward, Graham would be among Fittler’s extended squad to face Queensland next month.
However, Graham was delivered the shock news by Fittler who phoned him on Monday.
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A former ball boy as a kid for the Blues, Graham — who turns 30 on grand final day later this month — admitted he was disappointed to miss out on representing his state.
“Of course, I’m disappointed to get that call from Freddy (Fittler),’’ Graham said.
“I think most people know how I feel about playing for NSW and would’ve loved to have pulled on the blue jersey again.
“But, all I can do is work hard to get back there.
“The thing Freddy (Fittler) knows is, I’m a footy player and if he ever needs me, I’ll be ready to go.
“But I understand where it’s at. His job is to make these calls, I respect that.’’
Fresh in many fans’ minds is how Graham famously helped save the Blues last year by shifting to five-eighth in Origin II.
However, the Cronulla captain and 2019 series-winning Blues star suffered a blow to his Origin aspirations as a result of the Sharks’ mixed 2020 season.
According to the Fox Sports Lab, it is the first time since 1995 that the Sharks won’t have a player involved in State of Origin.
In his first year as Cronulla captain, Graham played 19 of a possible 21 games for the Sharks.
He admitted his 2020 season form was similar to that of Cronulla — some positive moments, but also inconsistent at-times.
“I also think every footballer this year will tell you 2020 has been a tough one due to everything that has been out of control,” Graham said.
“As captain, you take on a lot of responsibility during that time and with that, I was determined to ensure we only ever had a strong year.
“I was proud to make the finals, but you end the season, still feeling thinking about what might have been.
“I’ve been around long enough to understand, with the highs, you’ve got to ride the lows.
“I know what we need to do as a club to be better and I know what I need to do personally to be better.
“I’m looking forward to spending some time away with my family to relax and rest — then it’s about getting tuned-in for 2021.
“But as I said, if Freddy needs me — he’s only got to say the word.’’
— David Riccio
NO KLEM, NO WORRIES FOR BLUES
Brad Fittler caused a major stir when he overlooked David Klemmer for the Blues squad — but New South Wales still have a plethora of front-row talent to choose from, writes NICK CAMPTON.
Even without David Klemmer, New South Wales have an abundance of front-row talent to choose from and it might be enough to propel them to their first Origin whitewash since 2000.
Klemmer was a shock exclusion from Brad Fittler’s preliminary squad as preparation gears up for the end-of-year series.
The Newcastle hardman has been one of the Blues’ best forwards in recent years and put up excellent numbers for the Knights in 2020.
But form is king for Fittler’s Blues and according to former Blues prop Mark “Spudd” Carroll, that’s just how it should be.
“The ones who go the longest in the comp are a better chance of making it, which I love. It’s old school,” said Carroll.
“If you’re playing good enough footy, you’ll get selected. I’m loving it. The further you go in the competition the better chance you have of playing for New South Wales.
“At the moment, I can’t see how Queensland are going to win a game.”
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NO MORE KLEM?
Klemmer’s exclusion is a shock to say the least.
Among active NRL players only Mitchell Pearce and Boyd Cordner have more appearances for the Blues and Klemmer has been the team’s most productive middle forward in recent years.
Newcastle’s inconsistent finish to the season and this year’s rule changes, which are expected to speed up Origin to a breakneck pace, may have something to do with Klemmer missing selection for the first time since 2015.
“I was in a bit of shock actually — he never lets you down for New South Wales,” said Carroll.
“They’ve changed the demographic of front-rowers a little. I like Klemmer cause he’s such a big unit — I was only talking to Chief (Paul Harragon) yesterday and he was in a bit of shock too because Klemmer always rises to the occasion.
“Your form might be down a tad — and I thought his form was OK, but Freddy is picking on form.”
PARRAMATTA POWERHOUSES
While Klemmer may yet earn a reprieve, there’s a hot field of big men still pushing for selection — chief among them are Eels props Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who have another chance to press their claims in Saturday’s sudden-death final against South Sydney.
The Parramatta pair work well in tandem. Campbell-Gillard has rediscovered his aggression and physicality after a broken jaw suffered shortly after his Origin debut in 2018 slowed him down. His grunt work helps pave the way for Paulo’s ball-skills and footwork.
“I knew (Campbell-Gillard) would be great at Parramatta — he was still recovering from that broken jaw, before he was still turning his back a little with the way he was running,” said Carroll.
“But this year he’s changed it up, he’s hitting front-on, running through them.
“Junior Paulo gets on the back of that — he’s 125 kilos, he’s mammoth, but geez he can move.
“I think Nathan Brown is a good chance as well — I call him the Energiser Man cause he goes all day.”
TURBO STILL A MUST
It feels as though Trbojevic was assured of selection regardless of Manly’s struggles this season — he’s been a fixture during Fittler’s tenure and won man of the match honours after punching out 80 minutes at prop in the Game II victory last year.
Starting Trbojevic at prop, with Cameron Murray at lock and Daniel Saifiti as the other front-rower, would give the Blues a mix of speed, size and skill in the middle of the field from the jump.
If the pace of the game increases as anticipated, Trbojevic’s ability to link with Damien Cook and James Tedesco in the middle of the field becomes even more dangerous.
Trbojevic and Murray, both excellent defenders, would also be tasked with muzzling Queensland’s Josh Papalii.
“Jake Trbojevic will be the first picked,” said Carroll.
“The game has changed this year, it’s a lot quicker through the middle. I think there’s still room for a big man but we’re changing shapes. Trbojevic is a front-rower now and he’s probably 6’1 — before he gets a haircut he’s closer to 6’2.
“Murray and Trbojevic are tackle fanatics, they tackle people for fun. To me, Trbojevic is the most technical tackler I’ve seen since Steve Menzies. He’s unbelievable, he can go high, he can go low, he can snap people’s legs and he goes all day.”
BIG MEN, BIGGER FUTURES
Both Saifiti and Payne Haas made their Origin debuts last year with Haas playing the opener and Saifiti starting in Games II and III.
The duo are part of the Blues long-term plans — Haas was named for Origin I after just 10 NRL games and Saifiti has improved out of sight since his maiden series.
Be it starting or off the bench, they’ll give the Blues the size they need in the middle, even if the game has changed a little — and they’ll be taking on Papalii, perhaps the best prop in the competition, as well as rising Maroons forwards Jai Arrow and Moeaki Fotuaika.
“You need blokes who are going to show some upfront anger — Klemmer had that, he’d run through brick walls all the time,” said Carroll.
“I still think you need a big bloke up the top. Josh Papalii is a big man, a heavy man, but he’s only about 6’1, he’s not big like Chief or Willie Mason were.
“Saifiti is a big boy, he can play.”
BEST OF THE REST
Penrith’s Moses Leota has rocketed into contention with his strong performances off the bench, but Dale Finucane’s impending return from injury and strong form last series shouldn’t be overlooked in the race for a bench spot.
Finucane is expected to be fit for the preliminary final, and if Melbourne make the grand final Carroll believes that will be enough for the hard-tackling Storm lock to retain his spot in the team.
The two would also have to compete with another Panther in Isaah Yeo and Roosters backrower Angus Crichton, who have the edge when it comes to versatility.
One of the competition’s most improved players, Yeo can play in the middle or at second row and Crichton has switched between lock and the edge for much of the season.
SPUDD’S BLUES PACK
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Damien Cook
10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Cameron Murray
15. Nathan Brown
16. Payne Haas
17. Dale Finucane
Originally published as State of Origin 2020: The star props set to replace David Klemmer for NSW Blues