NEWCASTLE Knights are set to be the unexpected beneficiaries of NSW's stunning decision not to recall inspirational David Klemmer for the State of Origin series decider against Queensland on Wednesday week.
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Klemmer, the NRL's dominant front-rower this season, was expected to be immediately reinstated after missing Origin II with a fractured wrist.
But instead NSW coach Brad Fittler has snubbed the towering 25-year-old, although it is understood he could yet feature if St George Illawarra back-rower Tariq Sims is suspended for a high tackle on North Queensland's Michael Morgan last Friday.
Sims was charged with grade-two dangerous contact and was facing a two-match ban if he pleaded guilty.
Instead he opted to argue his innocence at the judiciary. If he fails to do so, he will sit out the next three games, but if successful he would be cleared to take his place on the bench in the Origin-series decider at ANZ Stadium.
In that case, Klemmer would not be required by NSW, and the Knights would be expecting him to be available for their clash with the Warriors at ANZ Stadium on Saturday. In a further boost for Newcastle, skipper Mitchell Pearce was also overlooked by the Blues as shadow player for Nathan Cleary, who is racing the clock to prove he can return from an ankle injury he sustained in Origin II.
Pearce, who would have been chosen for Origin II if not for a corked thigh, was widely regarded as the logical candidate to come in should Cleary fail his fitness test. But NSW coach Brad Fittler is instead set to show faith in rugged Wade Graham, who excelled in Origin II as a stopgap five-eighth.
If Cleary is out and Graham starts alongside James Maloney in the halves, Parramatta utility Clint Gutherson, who was named 18th man, is set to make his Origin debut off the bench.
Klemmer will again be replaced by his Newcastle engine-room partner Daniel Saifiti, who helped the Blues to a 38-6 triumph in game two last week.
Saifiti was impressive on debut, making 100 metres and 13 tackles, but Klemmer was arguably the best forward on the field in NSW's series-opening 18-14 defeat.
In his 13th Origin, Klemmer made 149 metres and 30 tackles in 51 minutes, and it was only after he left the field that Queensland fought back to grab the lead.
Klemmer's Origin I performance was merely a continuation of his remarkable efforts since joining Newcastle from Canterbury at the end of last season.
Returning on Saturday against Brisbane, barely three weeks after fracturing his wrist, he racked up 205 metres and 42 tackles in Newcastle's 26-12 win.
While Fittler has shown faith in the players who did the job in Origin II, Klemmer started in all three games of the Blues' 2-1 series victory last year.
For the Knights, the possible presence of both Klemmer and Pearce will be a major boost against a Warriors side unaffected by Origin commitments.
"Whatever happens with selections this weekend, I'm sure other boys can fill the role," Knights back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon said.
"If not, if they don't get picked, they'd be a welcome addition to not only have in our side, but any side."
Fitzgibbon said Klemmer would have nothing to prove if he plays against the Warriors.
"I believe, and probably the rest of the world believes, that he's the premier prop in the comp, so whatever does pan out, I'm sure he'll be fired up, ready to go," he said.
Knights lock Tim Glasby has been retained on Queensland's bench, while fullback Kalyn Ponga will miss the decider after being ruled out with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, Newcastle's backline depth will be tested by the broken arm winger Edrick Lee sustained against Brisbane, which might end his season.
Lee underwent surgery on Sunday and Newcastle's head of performance Balin Cupples indicated he would be sidelined for at least the rest of the preliminary rounds.
"Edrick has fractured his radius," Cupples told the club's website. "He went in for surgery yesterday, and the surgery went really well,
"Being the radius, and the unique spot that he has fractured it, it is a fairly significant return to play.
"At this stage we are looking at 10-12 weeks return for the fracture."
The unavailability of Lee, added to the pre-season, injury-enforced retirement of Nathan Ross, leaves Newcastle thin on the left edge.
Powerful Hymel Hunt switched from centre to wing against Brisbane, and Sione Mata'utia filled in at centre.
The other option Knights coach Nathan Brown might consider at left-side centre is Tautau Moga, who has not played in first grade since suffering a season-ending knee injury in round four last year.
On a positive note, Kiwi international hooker Danny Levi is expected to be available to play the Warriors on Saturday, six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.
Levi's return will leave Brown with a tough decision, given Connor Watson's outstanding recent form as stopgap dummy-half.
Experienced back-rower Aidan Guerra will need to pass concussion protocols after suffering a head knock playing in NSW Cup on the weekend.
* Knights tyros Tex Hoy, Luke Huth, Matt Croker and Phoenix Crossland have been named in the NSW under-20 side for the Origin III curtain-raiser.
