Eight reasons Ashley Klein can’t referee State of Origin decider

Referee Ashley Klein should come under serious pressure to hold his position for the State of Origin decider in Sydney after he failed to award NSW a first half penalty.

Referee Ashley Klein must be sacked for State of Origin III.

His ridiculously lopsided penalty count in Perth on Wednesday night attracted savage criticism and condemnation on social media.

The penalties were 8-0 to Queensland in the first half. No team, not even at State of Origin level, can repel an opposition with that much possession.

Queensland led 26-6 at halftime with WA newcomers to rugby league wondering what all the fuss was about.

“NSW gave us a few penalties in the first half and we took advantage of that,” Maroons halfback Tom Dearden said after the game.

The penalty count actually got out to 9-0 before Klein finally awarded NSW’s first penalty in the 45th minute.

NSW scored a try within seconds of their first penalty.

The penalty count ended 10-2 to Queensland. That’s an extra 48 tackles for Queensland.

Channel 9’s commentators didn’t give the penalty count much of a mention, but it was all the talk on social platforms.

NSW somehow found some physical energy and mounted a brave second-half comeback – which included four unanswered tries – but couldn’t complete what would have been the biggest Origin comeback in history as Queensland held on for a 26-24 victory.

The result ensures the series remains alive when it heads to Sydney for the decider at Accor Stadium on July 9.

Yes, NSW were ill-disciplined at times — Jarome Luai’s facial on Reuben Cotter, Zac Lomax’s elbow to the head of Trent Loiero and Latrell Mitchell giving away a set restart with a leg pull that led to Queensland’s first try were three notable instances — but only the most perfect team can play for 40 minutes without conceding a penalty.

But that’s how Klein judged Queensland for the first 45 minutes in Perth.

How and why does Klein – aged 45 – continue being appointed to State of Origin games?

Surely the younger Adam Gee and Grant Atkins are better options.

Eastern state NSW fans who travelled to Western Australia were furious that Klein played such a pivotal role in the first half.

“I paid $2000 to come and watch this,” one said.

One posted: “Worst referee.”

Referee Ashley Klein didn’t award NSW a first-half penalty. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Another wrote: “Turned it off a while ago. NRL has no integrity.”

Then this: “Ruined it after 20 minutes.”

And this: “Worst refereeing performance ever. What an embarrassment.”

“Penalties change momentum so quickly,” Immortal Andrew Johns said in commentary.

Queensland legend Cam Smith said: “NSW’s ill-discipline gifted Queensland plenty of field position.”

Originally published as Eight reasons Ashley Klein can’t referee State of Origin decider