NRL
State of Origin 2015: Paul Gallen calls Corey Parker‘s Dave Klemmer comments ‘embarrassing’
June 23, 2015 12:14pm
Staff writersThe Daily Telegraph
David Klemmer demolition
David Klemmer demolition
PAUL Gallen stoked the fire ahead of next month’s Origin decider by saying Corey Parker ‘should be embarrassed’ for demanding respect from Blues hardman David Klemmer.
Queensland stalwart Parker, the oldest player on the Maroons side at 33, and fired-up NSW forward Klemmer, who is only 21, came to grips on several occasions during the second Origin clash at the MCG last week.
Klemmer was a man on a mission and terse words were exchanged, including a reported foul-mouthed outburst. Parker this week reiterated what he said on the field at the time for the young Bulldogs star to ‘show some respect.’
David Klemmer and Corey Parker come to grips in Melbourne.
“There’s a lot of passion and pride on the line but from my point of view there was just some disrespect shown and I just pretty much told him that,” Parker said on Monday.
But NSW captain Gallen, speaking on the Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday morning, said Parker was out of line.
“I think it’s quite embarrassing for Corey to say that,” said Gallen.
“I totally understand it when you are talking about a 20-year-old or 21-year-old at training, but you don’t say it about a senior player in the toughest arena in sport.
“I don’t know why people think they have the right to say that.
“I know what Klem’s response to it would be.
“He is a terrific young player and won’t take a backward step.
“He certainly doesn’t need to show respect in the State of Origin arena.”
Meanwhile, Gallen considers himself a chance of playing for Cronulla against North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville this weekend.
Gallen, who suffered rib cartilage damage during the MCG showdown, said: “It’s getting better every day and I’m doing my best to play this weekend.