Back to earth? Drua's run of Super Rugby success ends with big loss to Blues in 2024 season opener
Fiji rugby's long season of success has come to a sudden end when the Fijian Drua were beaten 34-10 by the Blues in the…
Niggle was the buzzword of State of Origin II, but the pre-match focus of NSW’s forwards was camaraderie instead of callousness.
David Klemmer says the Blues’ forwards had a simple message for one another regarding the MCG clash they needed to win to keep the series alive.
“You want to walk off that field looking at the mate next to you, knowing you put in,” Klemmer said of their approach.
“That’s a big thing for us, not letting your mate down.
“It doesn’t matter what the spectators think. It’s the bloke that comes in after the game, you’ve got to look at him and say I did all I can.”
Klemmer, the heaviest player on the field at 116kg and a noted firebrand, praised his side for not crossing the line on Wednesday night.
“There’s always niggle. You can’t do anything about it,” he said.
“You can’t throw a punch, you sort of put up with it.
“We handled it pretty well, we kept cool heads.”
The 21-year-old is impressing in his maiden Origin campaign, playing few minutes but making a big impact off the bench.
Klemmer has adopted a similar mantra to his promising rugby league career.
“A big part of me is that you’re only in this lovely game for a short time and you have to make the most of it,” he said.
“There’s nothing to be scared of.”
Klemmer was thrilled with his first win with the Blues, but just as excited about the chance to call Paul Gallen a teammate.
“It was a childhood dream to play with him,” he said.
“I’ll never forget it.
“He was enormous. He was in everything – taking hit-ups, tackling and just doing his job.”
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Fiji rugby's long season of success has come to a sudden end when the Fijian Drua were beaten 34-10 by the Blues in the…
With rugby’s off-season dominated by Eddie Jones’ shift to Japan, and the confirmation that Rugby Australia really doesn’t have any money, the start of…
Winger Mark Telea scored four tries for the Blues who beat the Wellington-based Hurricanes 36-25 to stiffen their challenge for a Super Rugby Pacific top-four place.…
What more does Nicho Hynes have to do to earn a starting 17 spot in Origin 1?
The Rebels have been left to rue a second half collapse, as Brad Wilkin’s walking wounded were punished by Beauden Barrett’s Blues in Melbourne.…
A tough week of tipping in Super Rugby Pacific, with a couple of tosses of the coin.