State of Origin 2024: NRL reveals why referee Klein resisted sending off Cam Murray for role in melee

In a massive call that has become a chapter in one of the most intense Origin matches of all-time, the NRL has revealed why referee Ashley Klein resisted sending off Blues bench player Cam Murray.

Cameron Murray escaped becoming the second NSW player sent off in this year’s State of Origin series due to the discretion of referee Ashley Klein.

In a massive call that has become a chapter in one of the most intense Origin matches of all-time, Klein resisted sending off Murray despite the Blues forward launching from the interchange bench to become involved in a 30th minute melee.

In rare scenes, bench forward Murray was sin-binned for running at least 15-metres to defend teammate Jarome Luai, who was surrounded by Queenslanders that had rushed to the aid of besieged captain Daly Cherry-Evans.

Luai had baited Cherry-Evans just enough to spark a push-and-shove that quickly escalated during an epic decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Cameron Murray launched into the melee from the bench. Picture: NRLPhotos

Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai was also sin-binned by Klein for charging into the fray.

“I spoke to you (Cherry-Evans) before the game about these melees, I’ve let a little bit go, Jeremiah that’s over the top and unacceptable, ten in the bin,’’ Klein said.

However, the decision by Klein to sin bin Murray for 10-minutes raised the ire of Maroons fans across social media, with claims that the Rabbitohs captain should have been given his marching orders.

Klein’s comments, seemingly to the video referee, as he waited to indicate Murray’s 10-minute sin bin, only added to the hysteria.

“If he’s involved, he’s going to be a send-off,’’ Klein could be heard stating.

That prompted the immediate reaction from rugby league immortal Andrew Johns.

“If they send him (Murray) here, it is the biggest over-reaction in Origin history,’’ Johns said on Nine.

However, Klein resisted adding Murray to an infamous list of players to be sent-off in an Origin match, including NSW centre Joseph Akuaso-Suaalii from game one in this year’s series.

“There’s no need for you to get involved, 10-minutes,’’ Klein said to Murray.

NRL head football Graham Annesley indicated to this masthead that: “All 34 players are under the control of the referee. It’s entirely his decision.’’

According to the Fox Sports Lab, Murray returned from the sin bin to produce a NSW team-high 33 tackles in a typically inspiring performance.

In an indication of just how fortunate Murray was, NRL officials chose to evict NSW Blues 19th man Haumole Olakau’atu from the field for also becoming involved in the melee.

Olakau’atu climbed from the NSW Blues dug-out in his tailored suit to grab Maroons winger Valentine Holmes.

The Manly backrower was forced to watch the remainder of the incredible contest from the NSW dressing rooms.

The melee was the flashpoint of a match that had spot fires exploding from the opening exchanges.

In almost every set there was niggle, push, shove and aggression. It was everything that State of Origin is built-on.

And in the end it was the result that every NSW fan had hoped for.

“This has been an absolute classic. It does not get any better,’’ Johns said on full time.

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: NRL reveals why referee Klein resisted sending off Cam Murray for role in melee