Game 2 of the Origin series saw a completely different contest to the series opener. This came on the back of a raft of changes by Blues coach Brad Fittler.

Given the blow out in the Origin Two scoreline, you'd have to believe Fittler would love to name the same squad for the decider.

Outside of the temptation to pick Latrell Mitchell, if fit, the ideal situation would be to name the same starting 17, with perhaps Jack Wighton coming in at 18th man just in case.

Unfortunately for Fittler, as I write this, that might not be completely left to him.

Payne Haas is reportedly in real doubt of missing Game 3 due to injury. He was seen in a moon boot following the game and it's 50/50 as to whether he'll even be named for the Broncos this weekend.

Payne Haas is impossible to replace but the Blues may not have a choice. If the injury is as bad as NSW fans hope it is not, Fittler will have to name a replacement.

Given that the Blues named only the one prop on the bench for Game 2, I'm going to assume they need to replace a similar big man to Haas. This means the likes of Tariq Sims, Haumole Olakau'atu and the like will miss out. Therefore they're not mentioned below.

Below are the five men I believe will be in the running for an Origin 3 call up if the unthinkable is true and Haas is unavailable:

2. David Klemmer

If I'm picking the Origin 3 side I'm picking David Klemmer. No further discussion needed, thank you very much!

I cannot believe the continued unofficial policy of overlooking Klemmer. It is criminal that he hasn't represented his state since 2019.

Klemmer is averaging almost 145 metres per game and tackles at almost 97%. That defensive stat is ridiculous in the middle, especially at a team struggling to contain points.

The Knights middle forward is averaging minutes well beyond what will be expected in a few Wednesdays time. He'll eat it up from the start.

Klemmer has the size, form, stature, experience and ability to be the forward on the ground for the decider and is as close to a must pick as you will find.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: David Klemmer of the Newcastle Knights during the round 7 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 28, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Again, I cannot explain his rep absence of the past few years. He was once known as a player who gave away too many penalties but he has largely eradicated such talks.

I honestly don't know if he will be named but if he's not in at least the squad then there is a serious question to be asked.

1 COMMENT

  1. Klemmer has experience, ability and effort, but he suffers from playing with a team that is going nowhere. If he played for a top four team he would be much more likely to be selected. I’d be happy with either him or RCG.

    Personally, I would pick them both and not pick Cook. Two hookers is a luxury when you remember how the NSW pack struggled against Qld in SOO#1. If the Qld pack had been on song for #2, then Cleary would have had less freedom and the result could have been a LOT closer.

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