- Cameron Murray fortunate not to be sent off in game three
- NSW Blues star sprinted 15 metres to be involved in melee
- Referee Ashley Klein felt a 10 minute sin-binning was sufficient
- Controversial decision left Maroons players and fans enraged
Referee Ashley Klein chose not to send off NSW Blues forward Cameron Murray in the Origin series decider after forming the view his role in a first half melee only warranted a 10 minute sin-binning.
The decision left Queensland fans fuming – and Rabbitohs captain Murray can count himself fortunate not to have suffered the same fate as teammate Joseph Akuaso-Suaalii from game one.
Given Murray injected himself into the melee from the bench, the decision leading into halftime at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday was crucial from Klein.
Murray was sin-binned after running at least 15-metres to defend Jarome Luai, who was surrounded by a number of fired up Queenslanders hell bent on defending their captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai was also sin-binned by Klein.
‘I spoke to you (Cherry-Evans) before the game about these melees. I’ve let a little bit go….Jeremiah that’s over the top and unacceptable, ten in the bin,’ Klein said.
Many footy fans felt Murray should have been sent-off – and when Klein declared moments later to the video referee ‘if he’s involved, he’s going to be a send-off,’ – his fate appeared to be sealed.
Astonishingly, Klein then seemingly changed his mind, stating to Murray: ‘there’s no need for you to get involved, 10 minutes.’
In a moment Queensland fans won’t forget anytime soon, why referee Ashley Klein (right) chose not to send off NSW forward Cameron Murray in the Origin series decider on Wednesday can be revealed
Despite running 15 metres from the bench to involve himself in a melee, Klein felt NSW forward Cameron Murray (left) only warranted 10 minutes in the sin bin
In dramatic scenes leading into halftime, NSW Blues star Haumole Olakau’atu was sent from the sideline in Brisbane after getting himself involved in the same melee.
NSW’s 19th man was impossible to miss given he was wearing his game day suit.
He is now tipped to be banned for between two and four NRL games.
Wednesday’s hard fought 14-4 victory was a triumph for coach Michael Maguire, who has emphatically silenced his critics.
Few gave NSW a chance to win the series after they were thumped in game one on home soil, but the coach installed belief into his players.
They then delivered in grand style when it mattered to win back the interstate shield for the first time since 2021.
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