10 hours ago
‘Outrageous': State of Origin move sparks furore as Ashley Klein set to be named for series decider
Ashley Klein is set to be handed the officiating reins for the State of Origin decider despite his controversial performance in Perth which left New South Wales fans and players outraged.
The Blues were on the wrong end of an 8-0 first half penalty count in Game 2, which turned into 9-0 after 45 minutes. By that stage, Queensland were up 26-6.
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In the end, Queensland won 26-24, but the NSW camp felt they were officiated out of the game and scheduled a meeting with NRL management to seek an explanation for several of Klein's controversial calls.
The Blues' main gripe was why Klein chose to ignore numerous clear indiscretions by Maroons players while penalising the Blues for similar offences.
However, despite the Blues' protests, Code Sports reports Klein will again be in charge of the series decider.
That is because the NRL referees are rated under a KPI system by the league and by the numbers Klein is at the top of the list.
Categories measured include play-the-ball speed, decision-making, communication, game understanding, accuracy, communication with other officials, consistency, identifying infringements, positioning, game management, ruck communication, positioning, fitness and endurance.
His appointment in Sydney will be under heavy scrutiny and will undoubtedly be met with fierce backlash.
Speaking about his Game 2 performance earlier this week Buzz Rothfield tore into the veteran ref, saying his calls cost the Blues the game and series win in Perth.
'I think NSW were ill-disciplined and I don't have too many problems with the nine penalties they conceded. The problem I do have is that anyone can look at a replay of that first half and find 4-5 areas of the game where Queensland could quite easily have been penalised as well,' Rothfield said.
'In my eyes, he was refereeing one side for the majority of the first half.
'I know we were ill-disciplined and I'm not blaming it for the loss … but Gordie you cannot be perfect in Origin for 45 minutes. Impossible.'
'It's outrageous that Queensland can play 45 minutes in State of Origin and that intensity, mistakes are made, high speed, high intensity and not one penalty. That cannot happen.'
He also went on to say NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley – who refused to answer any question on the officiating after the Game 2 defeat – was privately furious at Klein.
'Laurie will look at the video and find out what he wants to talk to the NRL about and then take it to adjudication,' Rothfield continued.
'He was furious after the game. Privately furious, but he knows he can't come out and say anything. Not just for the fine, but because it'll look like poor sportsmanship.'
And as news of Klein's Game 3 appointment spread NSW fans were unsurprisingly annoyed.
'You've got to be kidding,' one fan wrote.
'What an absolute joke!' another added.
While a third commented: 'Surely he's not the best ref we have.'
NSW will have a home-ground advantage for the series decider, which will take place at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Wednesday, July 9.
