Paul Gallen has moved to shield rookie David Klemmer from the fallout from Origin II with the Blues skipper calling on Klemmer to ensure he does not get caught up in the pre-Origin hype.
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Klemmer has dominated headlines since Fairfax Media revealed he had told Queensland veteran Corey Parker to "get f---ed you c---' after Parker had told the firebrand to "show some respect" during game two. The fallout resulted in former Queensland captain Gorden Tallis declaring he would have punched Klemmer had he opposed him on the football field.
While Gallen still holds the mantle as the most despised Blues player north of the boarder, Klemmer is closing in on being the most hated man in Queensland.
Gallen said he had spoken with Klemmer about not getting distracted by the build up to the Origin decider.
"We don't need Klem getting involved with this," Gallen said. "I spoke to him on the phone a couple of times last week. He doesn't need to buy into this stuff. It's great for the game, it's great for the build up of the game and for the fans. For a player like him who is raw boned and wants to get out of there and rip in, he doesn't need to buy into this."
Klemmer has been a revelation from the interchange bench for the Blues in his debut Origin series. Gallen anticipated a barrage of criticism towards Klemmer in the lead up to Origin III because the Queensland side view him as a threat.
"They are trying to get under his skin because he is under their skin," Gallen said. "The simpler it is for Klem the better. He just needs to run hard and tackle hard. He has been doing it all year, from the back end of last year when he stood up for the Australian team in the Four-Nations.
"He doesn't need any of this. He is a good young kid. At 21 years old he doesn't need to worry about what a headline in the paper is going to be."
Blues coach Laurie Daley backed Klemmer to replicate his efforts from the opening two games.
"I am sure Klem won't be backing down," Daley said. "Our forwards are a group of players that respect their opposition off the field, they are not intimidated by them on the field, but there is great rivalry.
"If that is getting under their skin so be it, but Klem's a guy who is young, he knows there is a target on his head and he knows he has got to knuckle down this week. He will have guys around him to support him as well."
