The NRL’s decision to appoint veteran referee Ashley Klein for Origin I has sparked some backlash with Laurie Daley and Phil Rothfield questioning the snubbing of Adam Gee.
Klein beat out Gee, who refereed the Grand Final last year, leaving the key rugby league figures wanting answers on Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
The former Blues coach and veteran journalist are both of the opinion that Gee deserved the nod.
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Edwards officially OUT, Teddy called in | 02:15
Gee was widely praised for his performance in last year’s decider, considered one of the best Grand Finals of all time, amid the breakneck pace and comeback chaos involving the Panthers and Broncos.
“That Adam Gee Grand Final performance was as good as I’ve ever, ever seen from a referee on a big occasion,” Rothfield said. “He was just outstanding.
“And you know what? He’s done bugger all wrong this year. So why does Ashley Klein get the job ahead of him?
“I’m a bit dirty (about this).”
Daley echoed Rothfield’s views, saying that Gee can feel hard done by.
“I really was impressed with the way he handled the big game last year, Adam Gee,” Daley said.
“I don’t watch referees closely enough to rate them every week, but I just feel as though he’s done nothing wrong.”
Klein, 44, is the vastly more experienced official with 25 NRL Finals to his name, including two deciders and 14 Origins.
Gee, who turned 39 on Friday, has 15 NRL Finals on his resume – including last year’s decider – but is yet to handle an Origin encounter.
And Rothfield clearly believed Gee was ready for a crack.
“Ashley Klein is experienced, he’s done so many Origin games in the past, but I just think Gee’s nearly been robbed of the deserved appointment,” the veteran journalist added.
“I feel so sorry for Andrew Gee.”
The last ref not named Ashley Klein to officiate an Origin was Gerard Sutton in 2021.
Klein has officiated the last six games.
‘P****D OFF’: QLD GREAT STOKES FIRE OVER AWKWARD TEDDY CALL
Maroons legend Gorden Tallis has weighed in on James Tedesco’s recall to the Blues side, declaring the former skipper could feel “embarrassed” returning to camp.
Tedesco was rushed into the New South Wales team on Sunday following Dylan Edwards’ withdrawal with a strained left quad.
It was a cruel blow for Edwards who had ousted Tedesco from the fullback position in Michael Maguire’s first squad as Blues coach.
For Tallis, however, the move to recall Tedesco was a “strange” one.
“If I was dropped and then called back in, there would be a feeling of embarrassment,” Tallis told the Daily Telegraph.
“It’s strange that they have looked backwards again with Tedesco. NSW were looking to the future with Edwards and they should have stuck to that philosophy of looking ahead.
“Edwards will still be around him in camp, it has a touch of weirdness about it.
“Teddy would be a bit uncomfortable.”
Tallis also questioned what would happen should Tedesco fire the Blues to victory in the series opener.
“What happens in Game 2 now?” he continued. “Do they drop Tedesco again?
“I would have loved to be a fly on the wall having the conversation with Teddy and they (NSW) pretending they wanted you in.
“It’s not like Teddy is a young rookie being called in, he would have been disappointed and pissed off at being dropped as captain.
“It’s a totally different scenario.”
Tedesco’s recall ignited yet more drama ahead of the series opener, with the Blues needing the ARL Commission to rubber stamp his inclusion as the Roosters star was drafted from outside the Origin team’s 20-man squad.
Asked about his late call up, Tedesco shed light on a “crazy 24 hours”.
“(Maguire) called me yesterday after our (Roosters) captain’s run and said I could be a chance,” he said.
“I had to wait until (Sunday) morning… I was either going to be playing a (NRL) game today or coming into (NSW) camp.
“It was a bit crazy. I’m obviously disappointed for Dylan with how it’s happened.
“… But it’s a good opportunity for me.”
HYNES SET TO WIN KICKING JOB AFTER 3-WAY BLUES SHOOTOUT
The NSW Blues are blessed with several handy goalkicking options in their squad and, with many tipping a close affair in game one, deciding who gets the job will be a crucial call for Michael Maguire.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield reported the decision would be finalised on Monday with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes, St George-Illawarra’s Zac Lomax and Bulldogs backup kicker Stephen Crichton all considered for the job.
However Rothfield told the Big Sports Breakfast there was “strong mail” Hynes had won the job and would take on the crucial role on Wednesday night.
Hynes has been goal kicking at an extraordinary conversion rate of 93 per cent this season, landing 41 goals from 44 attempts.