Queensland’s relentless push to prevent Ashley Klein from refereeing game two of the 2026 State of Origin series has reached state parliament.
Footy fans from north of the NSW border have been calling for Klein to be replaced ever since the 60-minute mark of game one.
Klein controversially sent Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga from the field after his strike on Blues winger Tolu Koula, which proved the turning point in the match as NSW staged a huge comeback win 22-20.
Last week, Brisbane’s Courier Mail newspaper launched a petition to have Klein dumped as the official for the next Origin match.
The state’s Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has now encouraged his colleagues to sign on and ensure Klein can’t hammer the Maroons again.
‘Mr Speaker, I’d advise all honourable members that the Courier Mail are running a petition to change the referee for the next game,’ he told state parliament on Tuesday.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie (pictured) has backed a push to have Ashley Klein dropped as the referee for State of Origin game two
Klein (pictured) infuriated Maroons fans when he sent Kalyn Ponga from the field in game one
‘I’d encourage all Queenslanders to get behind the petition,’ Bleijie continued.
‘Go the mighty Maroons.’
Ponga avoided suspension for the hit on Koula, despite becoming just the seventh player to be sent off in Origin history.
Coach Billy Slater’s team then relinquished a 14-point lead in the final 23 minutes, with the Blues scoring three tries while Ponga was off the field.
Replacement five-eighth Ethan Strange claimed the first, after supporting a break made by centre Stephen Crichton.
Halfback Nathan Cleary then helped draw the Blues back within four points, before James Tedesco scored what turned out to be the game winner.
Despite the push by the Queensland newspaper, Klein is set to retain the whistle and officiate the next Cockroaches vs Cane Toads clash.
Reports suggest he only needs to avoid being involved in major controversy over the next two rounds to be appointed for the match at the MCG.
Kalyn Ponga is pictured getting his marching orders after knocking a NSW star out of the game with an illegal hit
Ponga was sent for this hit on Blues winger Tolu Koula, but the Queenslander escaped suspension for the incident
In the immediate aftermath of the match, Bleijie jokingly claimed Klein’s decision to send Ponga off should be taken to the High Court.
‘We were robbed of the result … and every Queenslander would feel that,’ he said.
‘I was as disappointed as any Queenslander … that’s the Deputy Premier commenting.
‘As Acting Attorney-General, maybe we should appeal it to the High Court and overturn it.’
