- Ash Klein unpopular figure with NSW Blues fans
- Supporters enraged by 8-0 penalty count in first half
- Queensland took a commanding 26-6 lead into halftime
- NSW fought back, but Maroons won a nail biter 26-24
Furious NSW Blues fans felt their team was robbed of the chance to take out the Origin series on Wednesday night following a brutal penalty count in the first half against Queensland.
Referee Ashley Klein awarded eight penalties for the Maroons – and none for Laurie Daley’s men across the opening 40 minutes.
NSW’s lack of discipline didn’t help at Optus Stadium – but many supporters were incensed on social media as Billy Slater’s team took a 26-6 lead into the sheds.
‘Ashley Klein needs to pull his head in. You cannot tell me he hasn’t been instructed to favour Queensland,’ posted one on X.
‘I know the NRL want a decider, but Klein can’t even hide the bias. 8-0 penalty count and all the six-again calls. You may as well skipped game 2 and just gone to game 3,’ fumed another.
‘Looks like Klein took part in the Queensland Captain’s run,’ joked a third.
Furious NSW Blues fans felt their team was robbed of the chance to take out the Origin series on Wednesday night following a brutal penalty count in the first half against Queensland (pictured, referee Ash Klein)
NSW’s lack of discipline didn’t help at Optus Stadium – but many supporters were incensed as Billy Slater’s team took a 26-6 lead into the sheds (pictured, Queensland’s x-factor Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow)
Passionate NSW Blues fans directed their frustration towards referee Ashley Klein
Another supporter accused the NRL of working towards a decider in game three next month in Sydney
A third joked that Klein took part in Queensland’s Captain’s Run following the lopsided penalty count in the first half
Meanwhile, Jarome Luai is certain to attract some headlines post-game following an incident with Reuben Cotter.
Klein placed Luai on report in the 23rd minute – and it could be bad news for Wests Tigers fans.
Replays showed Luai’s fingers rake across Cotter’s face and eyes – whether it was deliberate is up for debate.
The match review committee will decide Luai’s fate – but even the most loyal Blues fan will admit the pivot is in a spot of bother.
Another talking point will be the fitness of NRL superstar Nathan Cleary, who was off the pace all night.
Speaking in commentary for Channel Nine, Andrew Johns twice declared the halfback was ‘not right’, suggesting he was carrying an injury.
NRL Physio confirmed on X Cleary was troubled by a thigh complaint which hindered his kicking.
In a thrilling finish, tries to Brian To’o and Angus Crichton saw Maroons supporters on edge, but they held onto win 26-24 to force a series decider in Sydney on July 9.
And at fulltime, the penalty count was 10-2 in Queensland’s favour.
