Ashley Klein’s secret meet-up with QLD captain Daly Cherry-Evans raises eyebrows

The NSW Blues camp is reportedly feeling uneasy after details of a meet-up between Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Origin ref Ashley Klein emerged.

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.

Daly Cherry-Evans and Ashley Klein had a good chat. Image: Getty

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.

Ashley Klein has reffed the last three Origin series (Photo by Andy Jackson/Getty Images)

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.”

Originally published as Ashley Klein’s secret meet-up with QLD captain Daly Cherry-Evans raises eyebrows