The exact reason Newcastle had to stand down fiery prop David Klemmer this week has been revealed.
NRL fans were shocked on Tuesday when Klemmer’s named did not appear on the Knights’ teamsheet for round 21.
The bombshell came a day after reports emerged the Eels had tried to snatch the former Origin prop before the August 1 trade deadline.
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A Knights statement later revealed Klemmer had been stood down and handed a breach notice for disciplinary reasons. Those reasons were later revealed to be him refusing to leave the field during Sunday’s loss to the Bulldogs, and swearing at club trainer Hayden Knowles.
A plethora of rugby league greats have questioned why a club would ax a player for that offence, which they say happens multiple times a game.
But the Sydney Morning Herald has now revealed why Knights coach Adam O’Brien had no choice but to stand his star forward down.
The Knights are owned by Wests Group, and Knowles reportedly made an official HR complaint to the business about the language used by Klemmer towards him during the game.
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As per the company policy, HR required Klemmer to be stood down from duties until the matter was resolved.
The Herald says Klemmer should be back to regular duties as soon as Friday, although he won’t be able to take the field this weekend.
Earlier, Herald journalist Christian Nicolussi revealed the Tigers have hosed down reports of a swap deal for Klemmer.
Rumors circulated the prop could head to Concord in exchange for Tigers halfback Luke Brooks, who tried to join the Knights last off-season.
Incoming Tigers coach Tim Sheens denied a trade was in the works.
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