Klemmer helping Saifiti unlock aggression

Anyone measuring the impact David Klemmer will have during his career at Newcastle can begin their study now.

Rising Knights prop Daniel Saifiti has had his aggression levels questioned at times throughout his young career but a heart-to-heart with Klemmer has the Fijian twin ready to follow his new Australian teammate.

Once labelled the leader of a young Knights pack three years ago, Saifiti faces the task of fighting for a spot in the starting side next season, or potentially the 17-man first-choice line-up, with the depth at Newcastle at an all-time high.

"Klem's taken me under his wing and said I need more confidence in myself and I believe that too," Saifiti told pan66.com.

"Absolute legend off the field, you wouldn't expect it. His presence and then you speak to him and he's really caring, just wants the best out of everyone but once he crosses the white line he's all about footy and wants to win.

"Being a front-rower you need aggression and I've been guilty of being too nice and I'm starting to realise to use my size and be a bit more aggressive.

"I don't have to go out and be an idiot or anything but just with my actions - the way I tackle, the way I run - without carrying on about it."

Saifiti's numbers were marginally down on 2017 after he spent the off-season recovering from a shoulder reconstruction.

He took part in Brad Fittler's Emerging Blues camp on Thursday after overcoming a foot injury and believes the new year will provide him enough preparation to start next season strongly.  

"A bit slower of a year, I thought I finished the year stronger than I started that's for sure," Saifiti said.

"I got something to take out of it and now we've got some new front-rowers coming in they're only going to benefit my game."

The build-up to the 2019 season will be an opposite journey for twin brother Jacob, who is recovering from a broken leg after a pub altercation in early December. He's now facing a three month recovery.

"Everything's all sorted there now, he's got to get back and focus on footy," Daniel said of Jacob.

"He was rattled at the start but the police matter is done.

"He's in better spirits now than when he was last week now everything is out in the open that he was innocent."

Saifiti said Jacob was in a similar position at the club with discovering his full potential.

"We had it growing up, we were close to Petero Civoniceva and the way he played," he said.

"The biggest but nicest guy, didn't carry it on the field. We need to know what works for us. We play better when we're aggressive, he's in the same boat and will be back in a few months."