A photo of Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans having a laugh with Origin I referee Ashley Klein inside an empty 4 Pines Park has raised eyebrows in Blues camp.
This masthead snapped an image of the Queensland captain and the game’s leading whistleblower after a Manly training session a couple of weeks ago.
It is not uncommon for referees to assist with NRL clubs’ opposed training sessions. They provide guidance on rule interpretations and how the game is officiated. Referees Gerard Sutton and Peter Gough have overseen two NSW Origin team sessions this week.
However, it is rare for a whistleblower and a player to spend nearly 20 minutes deep in conversation, as Cherry-Evans and Klein did that day.
Cherry-Evans would not comment when contacted during the week. Klein laughed and said they were only discussing their children.
NSW coach Laurie Daley paused, smiled and said: “Ash is a professional, and I’m sure on Wednesday night he’ll do a great job.”
Benny Elias, who was inducted into the NSWRL Hall of Fame on Monday, did not like the look of the Maroons skipper and the Origin I referee looking so chummy, especially with the Blues about to enter enemy territory for game one in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Origin I referee Ashley Klein chat at Brookvale recently.Credit: Sam Mooy
“The mind shudders to think what the hell those two were talking about,” Elias said. “Although it is that time of year again when Queensland start buttering up the referees.”
There is no suggestion that anything untoward happened or that Cherry-Evans was trying to influence Klein.
When the Herald sent the image north of the border, Ben Ikin said tongue in cheek: “As the CEO of the Queensland Rugby League, seeing this picture warms my heart.
“I’ve always known Daly Cherry-Evans was one step ahead of the average footballer. This just proves it. What gets me most excited is how much it would annoy Benny Elias.”
Klein has overseen the past three Origin series. Former Blues coach Brad Fittler was unimpressed with a few decisions during the first game in the 2022 series, including a try awarded to Cherry-Evans when NSW prop Junior Paulo appeared to be held back at a scrum. Fittler later declared Grant Atkins the best referee in the game.
NSW finished on the right side of the penalty count (9-6) at Suncorp Stadium in last year’s series decider – a match refereed by Klein – and had more set restarts. It was also a similar story in Brisbane in 2023 when the Blues got the penalties 9-2, but were still hammered 32-6.
Officials have scaled back using the sin bin for high shots, despite fears of a blitz at Magic Round, with both Origin teams hopeful Wednesday will be allowed to flow.
Maroons prop Moeaki Fotuaika this week said he hoped Klein would “let a few slide” when it came to contentious tackles.
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