Dolphins star handed breach notice after Origin referee comments

Joshua Mayne

Dolphins star handed breach notice after Origin referee comments image

Josh Kerr has been issued with a breach notice by the NRL.

The Dolphins forward was part of Queensland's extended squad for their recent State of Origin Game III win.

On Thursday morning, the Maroons 20th man labelled referee Ashley Klein a "double agent" while speaking to the media.

"I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try and, you know, even it up or make it a bit closer," Kerr said.

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"We were sitting there going, 'it’s rorted, the game’s rorted'.

"I haven’t got the best eyesight at times, but I’m watching four passes and s---.

"We were all on the sideline just going, 'oh, no, it’s a double agent'".

NRL officials have now deemed his comments to be "detrimental to the best interests of the game". 

As a result, Kerr has been issued with a breach notice.

"The National Rugby League (NRL) today issued Queensland Maroons and Dolphins player Josh Kerr with a Breach Notice alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct.

"Kerr, who was a member of the Queensland Maroons’ extended squad for State of Origin Game Three, made public statements following the match regarding the performance and integrity of the match officials which are alleged to have contravened the NRL Code of Conduct," the NRL's statement read.

"The comments are considered detrimental to the best interests of the game and also serve to undermine the credibility of match officials."

Kerr has five business days to respond to the breach notice.

He came off the bench for the Dolphins in their Friday night defeat to the Sharks.

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News currently based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and a journalist at Ministry of Sport. Joshua specialises in rugby league, motorsport and tennis. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again.