Klemmer interrogates new Blues brother

NSW prop David Klemmer admits he's had plenty of questions to ask boom State of Origin rookie Payne Haas.

State of Origin

Blues veteran David Klemmer (r) has been thorughly impressed by debutant Payne Haas. (AAP)

With 17 Tests for the Kangaroos and a dozen State of Origin games to his name, David Klemmer would have plenty of knowledge to pass on to rookie Payne Haas.

But the NSW firebrand insists he's the one throwing all the questions to his roommate following his meteoric rise to the Blues team.

Origin camp is just two days old but Blues players are already raving about the 18-year-old from Brisbane with just 10 NRL games under his belt.

Haas' enormous frame made him stand out as NSW took to the training paddock for the first time on Tuesday at their Homebush headquarters.

The boom front-rower lurched from one drill to the next without drinking water as he observes the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

And it's left a lasting impression on his more experienced roommate.

"He's very disciplined," Klemmer said.

"He's very handy for me as well because he's getting up nice and early and getting me up, I'm feeling fresh of a morning, get a coffee.

"And obviously he gets up and has a feed at 4.30am, and he's doing really well."

Klemmer, who has been a staple in the Blues' forward pack since debuting in 2015, said he hasn't stopped asking Payne about his rapid ascension in the game.

"I'm chewing his ear off, asking so many questions about footy and his life. He's a great kid and I'm very lucky to play with him," Klemmer said.

"He's going to be something special."

Haas is one of five debutants picked for game one, however Klemmer denied the first-timers were in need of any advice ahead of the game at Suncorp Stadium.

A crowd in excess of 50,000 is expected for the match.

"They (the debutants) know Origin's a big deal and it's one of the biggest games in rugby league. They're going to be nervous, but they can't buy into it too much," Klemmer said.

"They've got to come out and play their own game. It's another game, but obviously it's a bit more emotion and intensity. I reckon they'll do fine."


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Source: AAP



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