Ashley Klein has come under fire after the Queensland Maroons won a lopsided penalty count 10-2 in their 26-24 victory over the NSW Blues to force a decider in Sydney.
Klein gave the first eight penalties of the match against NSW and at one stage in the second half they were at nine to one in favour of Queensland.
After the Blues surrendered a 6-0 lead to concede 26 straight points, the Blues trailed the penalty count eight to nil at half-time.
Pundits and experts took to X formerly Twitter to voice their frustration with the officiating.
There was no doubt the Blues didn’t help themselves with poor discipline but such a lopsided penalty count is rare in Origin with penalties usually only blown for blatant transgressions.
Queensland were questioned over meeting with the referee before the first game, so it remains to be seen if they had another chat prior to game two in Perth.
Blues skipper Isaah Yeo was pictured in a tense exchange with Klein during the match, presumably about the penalty count.
