Not since the days of the late Barry ‘The Grasshopper’ Gomersall have NSW Blues fans been so united against one man.
Yet, come next Wednesday night, Ashley Klein will again hold their state’s fortunes in the palm of his hand—or, more accurately, the pea in his whistle.
NRL General Manager, Elite Officiating Jared Maxwell confirmed Klein’s selection for the Game III decider yesterday, along with touch judges, David Munro and Phil Henderson, and bunker official, Grant Atkins.
“Ashley has contributed extremely well to the series,” Maxwell said of the controversial re-appointment that has raised the eyebrows—and ire—of many south of the Tweed.
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NSW fans were furious with Klein following Game II in Perth after an 8-0 penalty count in the opening 40 minutes saw the Blues trailing 26-6 at half time, the game already effectively lost.
But not everyone is against the re-appointment of Klein, who will referee his 12th consecutive State of Origin match on July 9 in Sydney.
Speaking on Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy this morning, SEN host and Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss supported the overall standard of refereeing.
“I think the referees we have now are the best we’ve ever had,” Voss said.
“I’ll be happy with seven out of ten. Strive for perfection, you'll never get there, but you might get excellence on the way through.”
SEN co-host Greg Alexander agreed.
“It’s been good (the standard of refereeing). They’re under a lot of pressure, there’s never been more scrutiny with replay after replay,” he said.
Next Wednesday with be Klein’s 20th Origin match in charge, placing him behind only Bill Harrigan (21 matches) and Gerard Sutton (22 matches).
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