Nobody is safe when NSW enforcer David Klemmer is ripping in, not even the Blues’ coaching staff.
The 197cm giant, who helped turn the State of Origin series on its head, knocked out a Blues trainer in a furious opposed session at Coffs Harbour, coach Laurie Daley revealed on Sunday.
Canterbury prop Klemmer is expected to be targeted by Queensland in the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday after taking it to the Maroons’ big men in Game II.
“He knocked out one of our staff (on Saturday) holding a tackle bag,” Daley told 2KY radio.
“It was just after training. They just had a bit of an opposed session and one of the trainers was holding the bag with a few of the boys running through it and sort of just got him in a front-on position.
“That’s him. He trains full on and that’s how he plays. He’s a great young boy.
“That’s just in his make up. He trains as if he’s playing. That’s his intensity.”
Skipper Paul Gallen is expected to play despite a rib complaint, although Daley said they had already worked on reducing his workload.
The Sharks captain hasn’t played since being forced off in the first half of the second game in Melbourne, although he returned to finish the game.
“Gal’s aware now that he’s got other people, and he needs to share the workload around,” Daley said.
“And if we can get equal contributions from all players, that’ll make us a better football team.
“It’s just not all about numbers and metres and hit ups.
“We need to play smarter. And if we play smart, we share the load and we can work with one another and utilise one another, it makes our game a lot better.”