NRL backs referee Ashley Klein’s decision in Origin I foul play ruling
The NRL has backed Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga in Origin I, confirming that the referee had the right to make the final call despite Bunker official Chris Butler having access to multiple camera angles and a more comprehensive view of the contested contest.
Ponga tackled NSW winger Tolu Koula in the 57th minute of Wednesday’s Origin match, after which Klein was heard telling Butler he thought the Queensland full-backs deserved to be sent off.
Fans watching at home were confused when Klein told Butler, “I got it, man” and “I know what you’re saying”; This showed that Bunker did not completely agree with Klein’s position.
Butler believed Ponga deserved “at least a sin bin”.
According to the rules, Bunker can make decisions in the overall game, including tries. However, in the case of foul play, the referee has the final say, although he can call Bunker for guidance.
Butler needed a few minutes to decide whether any action was required as Canberra duo Hudson Young and Ethan Strange moved to initiate a melee following Ponga’s strike.
The Maroons took a 20-6 lead after Ponga was sent off. NSW fought against 12 men and won 22-20.
NRL head of football Graham Annesley backed Klein on Thursday, saying: “This incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to-head contact with no mitigating factors.
“Player safety is of the utmost importance and the game makes no apologies when rough action is taken for foul play. Communication between the on-field umpire and the dugout official allowed for multiple live and replay views of the incident.
“Confirmation of direct, forceful shoulder-to-head contact through a shoulder charge movement meant that the referee decided that the correct course of action was to send off the player.”
Koula suffered a cut over his right eye and suffered category two concussion symptoms and was later removed from the game.
He will miss Manly’s clash against Cronulla on Friday night but could return to South Sydney next weekend if the Sea Eagles receive clearance from an independent doctor.
Either way, NSW’s position on the left flank in Origin II is not under threat. Koula was in good spirits when she spoke to this imprint in the barracks and said: “I remember most of it. I was shaken for a while but I’m sweet now.”
“I felt it [the tackle]but I quickly regained my senses. I didn’t watch the rerun so I don’t know. [if Ponga deserved to be sent off]. It’s part of the game. I have no ill will towards him. It was still the best experience ever. It was crazy. I am very grateful to them [NSW] “Trust me, and I did my best to repay that trust and make this state proud.”
Ponga thought he was given ten minutes in the litter and only learned he had been sent away while sitting in the Queensland barracks.
He was charged with second-degree shoulder charges and fined 13 percent of his $30,000 match pay, or $6,900. Ponga, who was hit on the same charge during a club match, would have faced a two-match ban.
More than an hour after the match, Ponga was still bleeding from his left ear from a clash of heads with Koula and attributed his dismissal to the Maroons’ defeat.
“When I left, I didn’t realize it was a send-off,” Ponga said. “I thought it was 10 minutes [in the bin]. And to be honest, I thought they might have considered me a header.
“For them to play with 12 people [players] Defending our line for 20 minutes, the effort they put in and it coming down to the last minute and a half is pretty heartbreaking. “I was the cause of the incident.”
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