Knights big two pack down together in boost for Blues

MEET the Blue wall of steel. For the first time in history two Newcastle front-rowers will stand side-by-side for the Blues.

Game two debutant Daniel Saifiti will pack down alongside David Klemmer while Mitchell Pearce’s inclusion means Newcastle will have three Blues players in a team for the first time since 2008.

Throw in Queenslander Tim Glasby and the Knights have not had this many Origin players in 12 years.

“When you come to think of that (how long it’s been), it’s pretty special,” Klemmer said.

“Obviously the town will be behind us and we get to represent them, which is pretty special because of how good they are as people up there and how much I respect the whole community.

“They must be doing something right up there at the moment.”

Kalyn Ponga’s injury robs the Knights of another Origin player. Even still, it is a far cry from the Knights of recent years who have barely had a representative player.

Ponga played one game for Queensland last year while Dane Gagai was the only Newcastle Origin player in 2016 and 2017.