Ashley Klein is set to be appointed head referee of this year’s State of Origin decider despite the uproar surrounding Queensland’s favourable penalty count in Game 2.
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The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday that Blues management is set to meet with the NRL this week to seek clarity over multiple decisions made by Klein, following earlier reports that coach Laurie Daley was “privately furious”.
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But despite their frustration with the 8-0 penalty count at halftime of the Optus Stadium clash, Klein is still set to get the nod.
Senior rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield explained on ‘The Big Sports Breakfast’ on Monday morning that all referees are rated under a KPI (key performance indicators) system by the NRL.
He said the NRL claims Klein is “clearly superior” in “just about every category”.
These, according to the Telegraph, 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.
“I think we got beaten by the better side in Perth, but it didn’t help the penalty count,” Rothfield added.
“For the life of me, I still can’t believe 45 minutes a team is perfect in Origin football. But I think we’re going to have to live with Ashley for the decider.”
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While former Blues players including Jamie Soward and Jarryd Hayne were critical of the refereeing, Klein found an unlikely ally in the form of Matty Johns.
The ex-NSW playmaker said on the Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns podcast that the Blues were “undisciplined” and only had themselves to blame.
“Us New South Welshman, most people will point to that and go look at that, but I tell you what, we were f***ing undisciplined,” he said.
“That’s it. Don’t blame the referee. We were undisciplined.”
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