Inside the 9-0 penalty count: Were the Blues actually hard done by in State of Origin Game Two?

The lopsided penalty count against NSW was a huge talking point to come out of State of Origin II, but were the Blues actually hard done by? We have put every penalty under the microscope — watch now!

They’ve got blue in their veins but woke up on Thursday morning seeing red.

Many frustrated Blues fans have singled out Ashley Klein for refereeing NSW out of State of Origin II, handing Queensland the first nine penalties at Optus Stadium. And you can throw in a couple of set restarts for good measure.

But exactly how many of them were real, and how many were contentious?

There was a Jarome Luai facial, a Zac Lomax elbow, and Latrell Mitchell leg-pull. But was Jarome Luai really offside when Reuben Cotter lost the ball, and did Hudson Young actually illegally strip the ball from Pat Carrigan?

Laurie Daley didn’t want to share his views, but we break down the opening nine penalties and two six-agains against the Blues.

ANALYSIS: THE NINE STRAIGHT PENALTIES AGAINST NSW

Payne Haas is penalised for holding down

9th minute: Payne Haas, holding down: “Too slow, mate”. After setting a slow ruck speed in the opening 10 minutes, Klein had enough and pinged Haas for laying too long on Robert Toia.

Verdict: Questionable

Angus Crichton is penalised for crowding

10th minute: Angus Crichton, crowding: Crichton, Edwards and King fail to bring Moeaki Fotuaika to the ground after a routine carry, and Crichton is penalised for crowding as Fotuaika spills the ball in an attempt to play it.

Verdict: Penalty

Max King gives away a six again for a ruck infringement

11th minute: Ruck infringement on Max King: Not long after King makes a second effort on Cameron Munster as the Maroons captain fights to get up and play the ball.

Verdict: Six-again

Latrell Mitchell gives away a six-again for a ruck infringement

11th minute: Ruck infringement on Latrell Mitchell: Klein has no choice but to wave his arm in the air as Mitchell inexplicably picks up the leg of Robert Toia well after the tackle is completed. Led to the Toia try, where Mitchell rushes up in defence.

Verdict: Six-again

21st minute: Jarome Luai, working on the ground: Luai is cited for raking the face of Reuben Cotter, which came after a frustrating Payne Haas turnover in good ball. A minor flare-up ensues.

Verdict: Penalty and on report

Angus Crichton catches Robert Toia high

22nd minute: Angus Crichton, dangerous tackle: On the very next play, Crichton catches Toia high after his arms bounces up off the football. Klein calls both captains and gives them a warning.

Verdict: Penalty

27th minute: Zac Lomax, elbow: Down 12-6 and his team struggling to gain ascendancy, Lomax swings an elbow at Loiero while on the ground and in possession. Klein initially instructs Lomax to play the ball on the mark, but quickly puts Lomax on report for lashing out. Holmes kicks a penalty goal, which ends up being the difference.

Verdict: Penalty and on report

Jarome Luai is penalised for being offside

30th minute: Jarome Luai, offside inside 10m: In the kick return set, Klein initially rules Cotter loses the ball after being tackled by Angus Crichton, Martin and Luai. But he changes his mind after a tip-off and rules Luai was offside.

Verdict: Questionable

Stefano Utoikamanu is penalised for obstruction

35th minute: Stefano Utoikamanu, obstruction: After being inserted at the 25th minute mark, Utoikamanu lazily stands in the defensive line and obstructs Carrigan from moving across to stop Cleary, who looked unstoppable on his way to the tryline.

Verdict: Penalty

Hudson Young is penalised for holding down

36th minute: Hudson Young, holding down: Three tackles later Carrigan is brought down by Leniu, Robson and Young, who wraps the ball up. The ball comes free as Young pulls his arm away, although it’s unclear whether he intentionally strips the ball.

Verdict: Questionable

Jarome Luai is penalised for being offside

41st minute: Jarome Luai, offside in general: Ponga spills an attacking bomb from Cleary early in the second half. Replays show Luai starts his chase two metres in front of Cleary.

Verdict: Penalty