NRL set to ignore NSW pleas and name Ashley Klein to officiate State of Origin decider
Only a last-minute stuff-up will prevent Ashley Klein adjudicating the State of Origin decider despite his questionable performance in Game II. The KPI’s that put Klein well ahead of his referee rivals.
Referee Ashley Klein is poised to control State of Origin III in Sydney, despite a controversial performance in Perth which left NSW seething.
Only a last-minute stuff-up will prevent Klein adjudicating the Origin decider on July 9.
Klein’s nine successive penalties in Origin II, which Queensland won 26-24, left NSW demanding answers.
The Blues plan to meet NRL management this week seeking explanations over multiple decisions by Klein.
Despite NSW’s undoubted protests, Klein looks set to beat out rivals Grant Atkins, Adam Gee and Gerard Sutton to referee the Accor Stadium blockbuster.
All referees are rated under a KPI system by the NRL.
Those categories include play-the-ball speed, decision-making, communication, game understanding, accuracy, communication with other officials, consistency, identifying infringements, positioning, game management, ruck communication, positioning, fitness and endurance.
Klein is a clear leader from all rival referees.
His looming performance in Sydney will be heavily scrutinised by the NSW media and crowd.
NSW was filthy when behind 8-0 in the penalty count at halftime at Optus Stadium.
That got out to a whopping 9-0 before Klein finally awarded NSW a penalty in the 45th minute. By that stage, Queensland led 26-6.
A spirit NSW comeback failed to overcome such a sizeable lead.
While forced to accept the penalty count, NSW still plan to meet with NRL head of elite football operations, Graham Annesley, this week to clarify Klein’s rulings.
The Blues’ main beef was why Klein chose to ignore what appeared to be clear infringements by Queensland.
This masthead identified eight possible penalties for NSW that Klein ignored.
Gee and Atkins will still be considered for Origin III, despite being behind Klein in the pecking order.
Veteran Gerard Sutton is another candidate but it’s unlikely he will be appointed to the big match.
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