Daniel Saifiti won’t lie, without David Klemmer, it would be different.
The blues forward could be rested against the bunnies on Friday following Origin.
Coach Nathan Brown has made it no secret he won’t push his key playmakers if they’re not up to it.
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Saifiti would rather have his fellow forward in the middle with him but has confidence they can handle it if he’s not.
“He’s our forward leader and he gets us on the front foot, but if he doesn’t play, I’m sure our forwards can do a good job and get the team going forward too,” Saifiti added.
“Jimmy Gavet, Sione (Mata’utia) they’re playing great footy.
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“Whoever else comes in, if Klem doesn’t play, they’re all playing good footy this year.”
Before Klemmer arrived at the club, Saifiti was tasked with playing long minutes in the middle.
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He’s prepared to do that again.
“If I have to play long minutes for the team, I’ll do it for sure,” assured Saifiti.
“I wouldn’t say it’s added pressure.”
Whether star fullback Kalyn Ponga will play is also up in the air.
His team mates are aware he may not be there come Friday.
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They’ll miss him but can cope.
“I would have said last year (was worried) but this year we have Pearcy,” Saifiti said.
“It will definitely be hard because everyone knows Kalyn is a freak and one of the best players in the NRL, but we have belief that anyone who comes into his spot in fullback can do the job.
“Whatever changes that happen, we’ve got confidence in the players that come in and fill their positions.”
