LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
State of Origin referee Ashley Klein faces renewed criticism following his performance in Game 3 of the 2025 series.
This time, Queensland's extended squad member and Dolphins forward Josh Kerr has spoken out, expressing his discontent with Klein's officiating.
Kerr's comments come after a match filled with controversial calls, including missed forward passes and knock-ons, but ultimately, the Maroons secured the Shield with a commendable performance.
Kerr didn't mince words during a press interaction upon leaving the team camp, stating, "I don't know how much trouble I'll get for saying this, but jeez, I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try and, you know, even it up or make it a bit closer than what, you know, we're sitting there going, it's rorted.
The game's rorted." He noted his ability to see most on-field actions-calling out the missed calls and suggesting that Klein's officiating might have purposefully skewed the game's fairness.
The criticism directed at Klein highlights ongoing discussions about the integrity and accuracy of referee decisions in high-stakes matches like the State of Origin.
Kerr's outspoken remarks reflect the sentiments of some players and fans who feel that refereeing inconsistencies can heavily influence the outcomes of pivotal games.