Why NSW could have been awarded ten first-half penalties - instead they got none

From offsides to high shots, to flops and ruck interference - these are the eight first-half infringements from Queensland that referee Ashley Klein missed - but the cameras didn’t. WATCH THE VIDEO

These are the eight first-half infringements from Queensland that referee Ashley Klein did not call which left NSW reeling from a massively lopsided penalty count in State of Origin II on Wednesday night.

The fallout from the Blues’ 26-24 loss to the Maroons in Perth continued on Thursday, with NSW officials still incensed that Queensland were deemed flawless in their discipline for the first 45 minutes of game two, on the back of which they built up an ultimately unassailable 26-6 lead.

However, this masthead has uncovered a series of pivotal moments — from offsides to high shots, to flops and ruck interference — for which Klein did not penalise Queensland.

It has left the Blues privately wanting Klein dumped for the highly anticipated Origin III decider in Sydney on July 9, despite NSWRL chief executive David Trodden publicly stressing the Blues would not launch a formal complaint.

The Blues. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The result has proven a financial windfall for the NRL, with 10,000 tickets sold in less than 24 hours after the full-time siren in Perth.

Only 2000 tickets remain for what will be an Accor Stadium sellout.

While admitting they themselves were ill-disciplined, NSW were seething at Klein’s 8-0 first-half penalty count to Queensland.

The Blues trailed 9-0 in the penalty count before being awarded their first. The final tally reached 10-2 as the Blues fell just short of completing the greatest comeback in Origin history.

There has already been a strong push behind the scenes for Adam Gee to replace Klein for the decider.

The series of Maroons’ first-half infringements that went unpunished included:

• A clear escort penalty from halfback Tom Dearden;

• High tackles from Dearden and Trent Loiero;

• A glaring Tino Fa’asuamaleuai flop;

• An offside non-call on Queensland’s try line; and

• Several ruck interference instances, highlighted by Kurt Capewell’s second effort on Blues winger Zac Lomax late in the first half, shortly before Queensland’s final try.

Not one offence attracted punishment.

Replays show the decision not to award an escort penalty against Dearden was particularly galling.

The Queensland No.7 ran 20m across field to block Lomax from contesting a kick with Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga, who had a mixed performance on the night.

It’s rare for the whistle to be blown in the opening exchanges of an Origin and that proved to be the case in the very first set of Wednesday night’s match when Fa’asuamaleuai blatantly flopped on to an already held Liam Martin on the fourth tackle.

Klein’s handling of the game was a focal point of NSW’s debrief on Thursday morning in Perth. A clearly frustrated NSW captain Isaah Yeo fronted Klein at halftime, desperately seeking answers.

More than 3000 fans responded to an poll by this masthead, asking who should control Origin III, with 46 per cent voting for Gee.

Gee finished clear from second-placed Klein (31 per cent) with Grant Atkins pulling 14 per cent of the vote.

The NRL will now review Klein’s performance, with a decision on who adjudicates Origin III to be made in early July. Aside from Gee and Atkins, Gerard Sutton is another candidate, albeit his appointment is unlikely.

When asked about the first-half penalty count post-game, NSW coach Laurie Daley offered a wry smile and refused to answer.

“I can’t tell you what I honestly think,” Daley said.

“We let ourselves down in the first half. We showed what we are capable of doing in the second. We created five tries to four but I get back to discipline and completions.”

Originally published as Why NSW could have been awarded ten first-half penalties - instead they got none