Peter V’landys speaks out as NRL makes call on Ashley Klein refereeing State of Origin 2
NRL boss Peter V’landys has gone in to bat for under-fire referee Ashley Klein as the league reportedly retained him for State of Origin 2. Klein is copping backlash in Queensland over his decision to send Kalyn Ponga off in Game 1.
With Queensland down a man for 22 minutes, the Blues erased a 20-6 deficit to win 22-20 at the death. Queensland publication The Courier Mail went so far as to launch a petition to have Klein axed for Game 2, after naming him ‘man of the match’ in the series opener.
Peter V’landys has defended Ashley Klein, who will be retained to referee State of Origin 2. Image: GettyBut The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that Klein has been retained for Game 2 in Melbourne on June 17. The NRL’s general manager of elite competitions Graham Annesley had already ticked off Klein’s decision to send Ponga off, as well as the process surrounding it.
Ashley Klein’s decision to send Kalyn Ponga off proved hugely controversial.There was confusion and controversy that Klein seemingly ‘overruled’ the Bunker official, who had recommended Ponga be sin-binned for 10 minutes. Annesley said in a statement on Thursday: “The NRL supports Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga.
“This incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to head contact with no mitigating factors. Player safety is extremely important and the game will make no apology for taking strong action on foul play.”
Annesley added that the on-field referee has the final say when it comes to foul play, meaning Klein was well within his rights to disagree with the Bunker. Annesley said Bunker official Chris Butler told Klein it was “at least a sin-bin”.
Peter V’landys defends Ashley Klein, won’t scrap send-off
On Saturday, interim NRL CEO V’landys launched a passionate defence of Klein and vowed to continue advocating for the protection of the head. “Player safety is paramount in our decision-making,” he told The Courier Mail.
“I don’t agree with the discussion about State of Origin. The same rules will apply to State of Origin as any other NRL game. Do we want double standards for State of Origin? Hits to the head will not be tolerated, whether that’s NRL or State of Origin, full stop.”
V’landys also flatly rejected calls for the NRL to get rid of the send off and only have sin-bins. “There has to be a deterrent,” he said. “If you take away the send off, you lose the biggest deterrent you have got (to the AFL). That could encourage more foul play.”
Ponga, Grant make plea call after Origin 1 charges as Klein, bunker conversation emerges
Queensland Maroons duo Kalyn Ponga and Harry Grant have both accepted early guilty pleas after being charged during the opening match of the 2026 State of Origin series.
Ponga, who was sent off for a shoulder charge that was deemed to have made direct, forceful contact with the head of New South Wales Blues winger Tolutau Koula, was hit with a Grade 2 charge.
The charge potentially not meeting the send-off criteria was clarified
by the NRL’s head of football, Graham Annesley, on Thursday, with the boss saying in a statement that the two processes – that of the bunker and on-field officials, and that of the match review committee are separate.
The head of football also confirmed that the bunker had told Klein that the offence was “at least a sin bin” rather than trying to tell the referee it was only a sin bin.
He also confirmed that, as per the laws of the game, the final decision as to what the punishment should have been was down to the referee, and not Chris Butler, who was appointed to the bunker for the opening match of the series.
Ponga’s Grade 2 charge saw a 23 per cent of match fees – approximately $6900 – levelled against him. He could have risked another ten per cent, or another $3000, by attending the judiciary, but he has accepted the early guilty plea.
In a regular NRL game, the Grade 2 charge would have led to a suspension for Ponga, but he instead will be free to play for the Newcastle Knights this weekend, and indeed the Maroons in Game 2 of the Origin series if selected.