This week’s guest on episode 21 of Behind the Roar is Wests Tigers prop David Klemmer.
BTR drops at 4pm on Wednesday and is available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
Klemmer has seen a lot and learned a lot in his ten and a half seasons in the NRL, but readily admits that he is still developing as a player and as a person.
The 29-year-old father of four has played all 16 games so far in his first season at Wests Tigers, and while the wins have been few and far between, he’s really enjoying his life as a Tiger.
As he prepares to tackle his former club for the second time this season, Klemmer chats about a range of topics, including what needs to be done at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday.
The big fella covers plenty of ground on the club’s official podcast. He talks openly about his superstitions, his self-development, his beautiful young family, and hefty weekly grocery bill.
He talks about some of the club’s brightest young representative stars, what it means to have Api Koroisau back on deck, and recounts a couple of on-field battles he’s had with two of the game’s toughest forwards.
A former Australian Schoolboys representative himself, Klemmer lauds the trio of Wests Tigers pathways players (Lachlan Galvin, Heath Mason and Luke Laulilii) who also achieved this prestigious honour last weekend.
“It’s the best of the best, it’s massive so a big congrats to them,” he said.
“They are obviously doing the right things on and off the field.
Even their teachers will be high-fiving them!
David Klemmer
Having played in five straight Origin series for NSW before being overlooked for selection four years ago, he knows what it’s like to be omitted from the team.
He says he feels for his Wests Tigers teammate Stefano Utoikamanu who was dropped for Game three of this year’s series.
“I think he was a bit hard done by to be honest,” said Klemmer.
“He’s an outstanding player.
He did his job and I know he’ll work his way back into the NSW team.
David Klemmer
Klem tells us about two opponents who he didn’t always see eye to eye with.
Without revealing who they are, here’s a snippet of what happened when he ran into one of them in the 2014 NRL Grand Final.
“They were coming off the line and bashing us,” he recalls.
“No-one was at dummy half, so I ran in and went the short side, and he absolutely nailed me.
I thought my stomach was going to come out my mouth!
David Klemmer
All that and more on episode 21 of Behind The Roar.
