NSW enforcer David Klemmer is the key for game three of the State of Origin series, Blues coach Brad Fittler says.
The Blues will attempt to become just the eighth team in Origin history to complete a series whitewash when they face Queensland in the final match of the series at Suncorp Stadium.
And Fittler has identified forward pack leader Klemmer as the critical piece to a third consecutive win on Wednesday night.
The rookie coach said he had enjoyed watching the Canterbury star go from possible omission to one of the pillars of their series victory over the past two months.
Klemmer had gone within a whisker of being overlooked for the series opener behind Gold Coast forward Ryan James, only to produce a defining performance for the Bulldogs.
“I’ve enjoyed watching Klem go from a couple of weeks prior to Origin, quite doubtful he might’ve even been in the team, to his form back at Canterbury has been fantastic,” Fittler said.
Now Klemmer has emerged as arguably the leader of the Blues pack, with his average of 110 metres only behind captain Boyd Cordner.
A current Kangaroos incumbent, Klemmer has proven one of the Blues’ key men.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching Klem just improve and getting the most out of himself. He’s the man we’ve got up the front, he’s our most experienced player just about,” Fittler said.
“I look forward to watching him (on Wednesday night).”
Fittler also pinpointed the final ten minutes of their game-two win in Sydney as the period when the Blues claimed a series victory over the Maroons.
With centre James Roberts in the sin bin, NSW withstood a barrage of Maroons raids on their tryline to record one of their most famous victories in recent memory.
“They don’t hold that that last 10 minutes coming up to seal the series, then we’re actually saying we could’ve overdone it,” Fittler said.
“The fact is they did it. It was their effort. Their effort has shown that you can do it if you focus and concentrate on the right things, don’t get distracted..
“It’s been a huge effort by them. That’s the important thing. It was all effort. There wasn’t much in what we did with the tries, but effort. So it all comes down to the team.”