State of Origin Confidential: Reason referee Ashley Klein blew up at NSW trainer revealed

Origin viewers were left confused after referee Ashley Klein was seen blowing up at a NSW trainer, but fresh footage has revealed the act that led to the stern warning. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Footage has revealed why Eddie Farah – the brother of former NSW captain Robbie – was issued a warning by referee Ashley Klein and threatened with being sent from the field.

Farah copped a telling off after booting the ball away while Queensland were waiting to feed a scrum 10 metres out from the Blues’ line.

The trainer initially handed the ball to Mitchell Moses, before Moses threw it away, upsetting Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans, who was waiting to feed the scrum.

Farah then caused even more of a disruption to the Maroons by kicking the ball over the dead-ball line.

The Blues were up 14-2 and winger Brian To’o was in the sin bin.

Referee Ashley Klein gave Farah a first and final warning.

“Trainer, if you do that again you will not come back on the field,” Klein said.

The Suncorp Stadium crowd booed Farah as he ran off the field.

BLUES VILLAIN TAUNTS QUEENSLAND

He was public enemy No.1 and Spencer Leniu lived up to his villain tag despite facing a hostile Suncorp Stadium crowd.

While Leniu was on a media ban in the lead-up to the game, he showed no signs of keeping his mouth closed as he baited and taunted the Maroons fans when he was waiting to get on the field.

Marching up and down the sideline he came in for heavy fire from the Queenslander’s with Leniu loving every bit of it.

And again he delivered on the big stage.

Spencer Leniu baits Queensland fans.

Spencer Leniu celebrates after the win. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Spencer Leniu enjoys a back-and-fourth with Qld fans.

His serve wasn’t just for the fans. He took it to the Maroons players when they did not kick off to him when he entered the field. Leniu was outstanding for the Blues off the bench with his leg speed making a notable difference when he came on.

He celebrated the victory in style too, making his way to the NSW faithful after the game and giving it to any Queensland fan he could see.

HIGHLIGHT

Connor Watson had to wait an eternity to get into the game at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night. When he finally ran onto the Cauldron late in the second half, he made sure he had an impact as he produced a ridiculous offload to set up the try for Dylan Edwards to secure the win for NSW. Watson had four Queensland players draped on him - Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Dearden, Kalyn Ponga and Pat Carrigan - but still managed to get his hands free and drop the ball for Edwards. Talking about making an impact.

LOWLIGHT

Queensland’s opening 40 minutes. Their second half was marginally better but they produced one of the worst starts to an Origin game on home soil. They never looked in the contest.

SPOTTED

There were plenty of politicians taking their seats at Suncorp Stadium. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, ex-referee turned Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander. PNG Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology & Sport Kinoka Hotune Feo.

SPOTTED

Brisbane 2032 organising committee President Andrew Liveris.

LEWD ACT CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Channel 9 has endured a problematic start to its State of Origin coverage after broadcasting a fan simulating a lewd act in a live cross.

The free-to-air broadcaster was only 15 minutes into its broadcast when it fell victim to the perils of live television.

The drama began when the commentary team crossed to former Queensland Origin forward Sam Thaiday, who was standing on the iconic Caxton Street.

Thaiday was delivering his address as a horde of fans were walking past. One man, wearing a Maroons jersey, stood next to the Maroons great and simulated a lewd act, which went to air for around 10 seconds before Thaiday crossed back to the panel down the road at Suncorp Stadium.

Earlier, Nine’s State of Origin coverage got off to a shaky start when host Danika Mason got mixed up with her names and accidentally intertwined her Queensland legends.

Speaking outside Suncorp Stadium, Mason was joined by NSW’s most successful coach Phil Gould and Queensland legend Cameron Smith, but had an early hiccup introducing the pair.

“And I’m joined by two of the most influential men in Origin’s rich history, Phil Gould and Cameron Slater,” Mason said.

Ever the professional, Mason quickly corrected herself after

“I think I missed your name and Billy Slater’s up as well. I put it in one word,” Mason said..

“What a player Cameron Slater would have been!”

It is an easy mistake to make. The pair share the same birthday. They’ll both turn 42 on June 18, the night of Origin II in Perth.

RUGBY THREAT

Angus Crichton is one of only five players in the Queensland and NSW sides who are up for grabs on November 1, making him a prime target for the Perth Bears expansion teams.

However, rugby union may yet prove to be the biggest threat to Crichton staying at the Sydney Roosters.

Origin Confidential understands he is in no hurry to decide his future. Crichton clearly loves life at the Roosters but he went awfully close to switching codes a year or so ago when his camp held talks with rugby union teams in both Australia and France.

Had it not been for a late change of heart, Crichton may well have returned to rugby – he played Australian Schoolboys.

There is an itch there that Crichton seems keen to scratch and rugby union is expected to come calling again.

It is understood the Roosters are aware that Crichton would consider a switch of codes and he may find it too difficult to resist a second time round.

BELLAMY’S FINAL FLING?

Craig Bellamy’s focus this week has been on NSW and the opening game of the State of Origin series but this weekend he is expected to sit down and make a decision that could have massive ramifications for the Melbourne Storm.

Bellamy has one year remaining on his mega-contract with Melbourne and the feeling was that he would continue as head coach next season.

However, Origin Confidential understands that Bellamy is yet to commit to next season and there have been whispers that he is wrestling with the idea of stepping back from head coaching.

This column understands that Bellamy is likely to take the weekend to mull over his future before making a final decision next week.

The smart money is that he will continue for another 12 months but it is no certainty as he contemplates taking a break from the NRL.

Craig Bellamy’s time as Storm coach could be over. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

It’s a huge decision not only for Bellamy, but also for the Storm. Bellamy has transformed Melbourne into a perennial premiership contender during his time in charge and if he does decide to step down at the end of the season, it would be the most significant decision at the Storm for more than two decades.

The 65-year-old has been in charge at Melbourne since 2003, leading the club to three premierships and establishing himself as one of the greatest coaches in the game’s history.

They are big shoes to fill but Melbourne’s next coach – assistant Marc Brentnall is the logical frontrunner depending on whether Storm officials can convince Billy Slater to become a head coach – can take solace in the fact that Bellamy won’t be lost to the Storm.

Under the terms of his deal with Melbourne, Bellamy will step back into a consultancy role and help his successor. A final decision is believed to be only days away as Bellamy gets Origin I out the way and then sits down to decide what next.

DINNER PLANS?

NSW laid out the welcome mat to a quartet of special guests on Monday night as they held a special dinner in preparation for Origin I.

Last year’s coach Michael Maguire was among the honoured guests along with a trio of former players – Trent Barrett, Michael DeVere and Josh Reynolds.

Origin Confidential understands that all four spoke about their Origin experiences at the dinner as Blues coach Laurie Daley attempted to tap into the spirit that helped Maguire get his side over the line last season.

GALLEN’S WHIRLWIND 72 HOURS

Paul Gallen hasn’t always enjoyed flying into enemy territory. Spare a thought then for Gal this week because the big fella had to do it twice.

Gallen boarded a flight for Brisbane on Monday to honour his commitments with the Nine Network on 100% Footy.

He then flew home midway through the show – he was on a plane as Phil Gould and Michael Chammas traded blows – to continue his preparations for his upcoming fight against Sonny Bill Williams.

NSW legend Paul Gallen has been preparing for his fight with Sonny Bill Williams. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Gallen trained on Tuesday and Wednesday morning before getting back on a flight and returning to Brisbane to take part in the Nine Network’s coverage of Origin I.

“It is my last fight,” Gallen said.

“I am going to be as well prepared as I can be for it. I feel like that is what I am doing but I also have to work and I have a contract with Nine.

“That’s my first priority.”

PERTH SELLOUT

State of Origin II in Perth is on track for a sellout with about 5000 tickets left. It will mean a crowd of 60,000 will fill Optus Stadium when rugby league returns to Perth on June 18.

The venue has had two previous Origin matches with 59,271 people turning up in 2019 and 59,358 in 2022.

A Wallabies and New Zealand Test in 2019 holds the venue record with 61,241 people.

The match will have extra significance given it is the first event the state has hosted since the NRL announced the Perth Bears would come into the competition in 2027.

Optus Stadium is expected to sellout out. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

SPOTTED

Goalkicking coach Daryl Halligan putting NSW duo Nathan Cleary and Zac Lomax through their paces on Tuesday.

NRL 360

Tune in to NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm on Thursday night for all the State of Origin fallout with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis, James Hooper, Brent Read, Blocker Roach and Billy Moore.