Andrew Fifita and David Klemmer are arguably the two best front rowers in the NRL. So who would you rather have on your team?
While both play at the highest levels of the game, they have very different, contrasting styles.
Klemmer is the huge body that makes ground at will, able to lead a team forward, whereas Fifita uses footwork to create second-phase play.
Klemmer was third in post-contact metres last season, gaining just over 1600 from 22 games. Fifita was 17th for this stat, with just over 1100 metres from 26 games. Clearly, Klemmer has an advantage in his ability in making ground when he has been met by the defence, which is even more impressive considering the forward packs they both played in the season just gone.
Both featured in this season’s top five for total runs, with Fifita making the second-most, Klemmer at fifth. This shows they both have huge engines and are willing to work.
Next was perhaps where Fifita has the biggest advantage: offloads. The Shark is the premier offloader in the NRL, as his size and footwork allows him to free his arm regularly and find support players. Fifita had 82 offloads for the year, first in the league. Offloading makes any forward much more dangerous and a defence can never truly settle when Fifita has the ball.
Andrew Fifita (AAP Image/SNPA, Teaukura Moetaua)
Klemmer mustered 23 offloads for the year, well behind Fifita, and shows how different their styles truly are.
This becomes more evident when looking at their tackle-bust numbers, as Fifita made 87 and averaged 128 metres for the year, while Klemmer busted through just 30 tackles but averaged a monster 175 metres a game.
These numbers show how dominant a ball runner they both can be, but do you want a front rower who can go forward through people and make ground, or a man who breaks tackles and pops offloads?
When it came to the other side of the game, Fifita gave away more penalties than anyone, with 39 offences from just 26 games – well over one per game. Add in his much higher error rate and he certainly has his drawbacks.
While they are easily the two best running front rowers, neither are dominant defenders. They hit hard and don’t miss a huge amount of tackles, but neither have ever struck me as putting fear into the opposition.
While this is not a vital skill for a front rower, especially when looking at the forward pack as a whole, it can be a valuable skill. This pair are ball-running front rowers, as opposed to being a defensive front rower.
So who would you rather?
Fifita may be able to win a game with a line break or an offload that Klemmer just does not posses, but if you’re looking for a man to set a platform and just get ahead in the most simple way possible, then there is no better front rower than David Klemmer.
Footy Fan
Guest
JWH! Career best form in the semis and internationals
1st&10
Guest
Fifita can kill a clubs culture with his idiotic behaviour. The more tattoos, the lower the IQ
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
I think there are far better forwards around than them, and here is another one who is even more overrated and a big useless log Aaron Woods.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
I'm a NSW fan and i agree with you whole heartedly about them both being overrated.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't want either of them give me Tariq Sims any day barrels the opposition in defence and runs like a bull with the ball and scores plenty of tries. Fifita hasn't any ticker for the really hard stuff and backs off quickly when challenged and i don't think Klemmer is far behind him but does work harder than Fifita.
The Barry
Roar Guru
* dad jokes
The Barry
Roar Guru
Watching Bennett trying to crack a smile is a horrifying experience. For starters he’s got one of the worst senses of humour in the world. He makes sad jokes look like a Dave Chapelle routine. Then he smiles. His mouth slides up one side of his face. His chicken lips disappear and he doesn’t quite know where his teeth are going. I’d imagine it’s accompanied by a screeching sound like a rusty fly screen swinging shut as muscles and tendons are contorted into positions they haven’t naturally been for decades. I get chills thinking about it...
Wayne Turner
Guest
Klemmer - When's he's having a bad game,he will going missing,but will not make major costly mistakes.Can play lock,second row and prop. Fifita - When he's on,he's really on.But,when he's off,he is really off,and makes major mistakes from penalties,missed tackles,bad passes and dropping the ball. I pick Klemmer.
Bill
Guest
Sorry, two overrated, overweight showponys. I’d take neither. Fifita with his “after someone else makes the tackles flops onto the tackles man” is about all he’s good for. He’s a waste of time. Clemer is just overrated. I guess you’re a NSW fan, that explains your bias towards these two clowns.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
No wooden spoons ever and at least one title every decade since the 60's gives the mighty Eagles plenty of hope sometime this century. Nobody was shaking in their boots a couple of years before we sorted out the Storm 40 to zeroooooo in 08 , so you won't see it coming next time either.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
What century is scheduled for Manly's next GF appearance?
nunnsy
Guest
As a newcastle supporter Klemmer easily, yeah fifita might be able to win you games but thats what we have pearce and ponga for .
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Probably, but at Bennett's last press conference that was definitely a sh.t eating grin.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m still working my way into even cheering for Napa... That sounds like waaaay too exciting a breakfast for Bennett. I reckon he’d be all bran and dry whole meal toast every day - with a scrape of vegemite on his birthday and xmas...
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
A fit RFM and the new signing CHN will see us with a very good & mobile pack mate....just hope Foran stays fit & Lewis continues to improve and we'll go ok!
Tom G
Guest
Klemmer any day of the year.. no contest
Paul
Roar Guru
Lodge - that's a name from left field. Good call though, Matt
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Same to you JB! I'm looking forward to a Jackson, Napa led pack with a lot of young fella's really ripping in through 2019.....well, that's my hope anyway mate.
Don Aprile
Roar Rookie
IMO it's a dead set photo finish.....but I would have to give my nod to Klemmer. Only because Fifita does my head in when I watch him play.....sometimes some of the 'stupid' penilites he gives away can undo all the hard yards and advantages that the team had gained . If someone could inject some brain cells into that pumpkin he has between his ears he could be anything....he's definitely got all the skills.
Matt H
Roar Guru
The answer would be different depending what your pack looks like. If you need this player to be the main man, the forward leader, etc, then Klemmer. he is the one who will get the team moving and basically say "follow me" though his actions. If you already have a Gallen, Klemmer, etc then Fifita every time because of his potential impact. If you want a mix, let's take Matthew Lodge.