Latest news with #BennyElias
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Daly Cherry-Evans shuts down Origin conspiracy, rumours of Maroons rift
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has hosed down concerns of bias after he was spotted deep in conversation with the referee who will officiate Wednesday's State of Origin series opener. Cherry-Evans and Game 1 referee Ashley Klein were spotted having an extended conversation inside an empty 4 Pines Park a couple of weeks ago, sharing a laugh following a Manly training session. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The SMH photographed the pair having a good spirited chat, prompting concerns from NSW's camp over whether Cherry-Evans was trying to get the NRL's leading referee on side ahead of State of Origin. The pair reportedly spent around 20 minutes locked in conversation and when asked about what was said, Klein revealed they were simply talking happy families and speaking about their children. 'The mind shudders to think what the hell those two were talking about,' Tigers and Blues great Benny Elias told the SMH. 'Although it is that time of year again when Queensland start buttering up the referees.' Former Maroons skipper Cameron Smith was renowned for being footy's ultimate diplomat by speaking to referees constantly during games, but Cherry-Evans firmly denied he was trying to influence Klein. 'Read into it what you will, but there's nothing there for me,' Cherry-Evans said. 'That's a weekly occurrence for us. If you come down to Manly training on any given week you will snap me with the referees at training. 'I'm not going to be able to remember the conversation exactly because I don't remember it being anything more than a conversation. 'We have referees come out to our training sessions weekly at Manly. They are humans. They are people. They have families and more often than not we're just talking about our kids and how they are misbehaving. 'We are all human and like to talk about our problems, it's as simple as that really. 'I'd like to think I have a good relationship with all referees. 'I'm respectful, empathetic for the way they have to sometimes play to the rules. 'I have a lot of respect and love for the referees. 'I haven't had too many situations where I've crossed the line there.' DCE denies talk of Cobbo rift Cherry-Evans also moved to shut down speculation Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo was left out of the Maroons squad because other Queensland players don't like him. Cobbo was cleared of a fracture in his wrist but was overlooked by Billy Slater, who picked Roosters rookie Robert Toia in the centres. 'Have you guys made that a thing? That we don't like Selwyn,' Cherry-Evans asked reporters. 'I really enjoy playing with Selwyn. 'He's a fantastic footy player, he's an even better person. I just think it's so ridiculous we have to justify our relationship with people, especially someone as good natured as Selwyn Cobbo. 'How and who picks the team, it's got nothing to do with the players, that's a selector and a coach thing, and we always back them to make the right decision.' State of Origin Game 1 kicks off on Wednesday at 8.05pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium.
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ashley Klein's secret meet-up with QLD captain Daly Cherry-Evans raises eyebrows
The NSW Blues are believed to be quietly concerned after details of a catch-up between Queensland Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Origin 1 referee Ashley Klein came to light. The Sydney Morning Herald reports the pair had an extended conversation inside an empty 4 Pines Park a couple of weeks ago, sharing a laugh following a Manly training session. And while it is not rare for a referee to assist NRL clubs by attending sessions to provide guidance on how rules and enforced and interpreted, the length of the meet-up between the 36-year-old and the top ref is not as common. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. According to SMH, the pair spent around 20 minutes locked in conversation and when asked about what was said Klein revealed they were just talking happy families and speaking about their children. DCE refused to comment on the interaction. But ahead of Origin the pair's chat doesn't sit right with NSW great Benny Elias. 'The mind shudders to think what the hell those two were talking about,' Elias told SMH. 'Although it is that time of year again when Queensland start buttering up the referees.' There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from either Cherry-Evans or Klein. The experienced and well-respected referee has overseen the past three Origin series and will again be handed the whistle for the upcoming State of Origin series. In recent weeks officials have scaled back using the sin bin for high shots due to absolute mayhem this weekend when rounds of football were ruined for many fans due to the incredible spate of sin bins for what were largely seen as minor offences. And ahead of Game 1, there have been calls from both Origin teams to let the game flow. Joseph Suaalii was infamously sent off just minutes into the series opener last year, after hitting Reece Walsh in the head with his shoulder. Liam Martin and Patrick Carrigan were sin-binned in Game 2, and Jeremiah Nanai and Cameron Murray were both given 10 minutes in the bin in the decider. And Maroons enforcer Moeaki Fotuaika said earlier this week that he hopes there will be fewer sin-bins this series and hopes Klein would 'let a few slide'. 'Hoping, because it's an Origin game, they can sort of let a few slide. If it's a penalty game, obviously the spectators aren't going to enjoy that part,' Fotuaika said on Thursday. 'I'm sure the refs will work around that.'
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Elias reveals brutal Fulton stitch-up
NRL: After knocking back a move to Manly, Benny Elias was left stunned when Bob Fulton axed him from the Kangaroos.
