The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7 “I find the entire punching bag of Ashley Klein outrageous” – Riccio – Tonight on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League Corey Parker (CP), David Riccio (DR), Aaron Woods (AW) and Luke Keary (LK) discuss the biggest topics of Rugby League.
Ashley Klein’s call on Ponga being sent off in Origin – “I find the entire punching bag of Ashley Klein outrageous” – David Riccio
DR: We anticipate he (Klein) will get the whistle (for Origin Game Two) and I firmly believe the NRL will back their man and the stance he took. They’re quite, I wouldn’t say proud, but they feel as though he showed a lot of courage in his conviction in sending Kalyn Ponga from the field on his own decision, on his belief that shoulder was contact to the head.
AW: My thing is, and what a lot of people got wrong was the fact that a lot of people heard 10 in the bin from the bunker to Ashley Klein but it was actually “at least it should be a 10 in the bin”. He makes the decision on the call, what he sees. Look, am I the greatest fan of Ash? No, I called for him not to lead Origin Game One. But this was a big point, this was a big turning point in the game. Queensland have got the full run of play there. Like it’s 20-6, he makes a massive call like that and obviously New South Wales are going to be happy because they’re going against 12 men but Queensland are going to be filthy.
DR: Can I just say, I find the entire punching bag of Ashley Klein outrageous. I mean he’s the most experienced referee in the game, Woodsy, and you may not have wanted him to officiate but this guy has refereed 40 test matches, 438 NRL matches. He’s the most experienced man for the job. He made a decision that showed a lot of courage in that moment. Anyone who is debating whether it’s a sin bin or a send-off actually leans towards, yeah it was tough. This is the guy that’s got to make the call.
CP: Just because you’re the most experienced doesn’t mean you’re the right man for the job.
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The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7 “I find the entire punching bag of Ashley Klein outrageous” – Riccio
