A refereeing great has labelled the choice of match officials for Wednesday’s State of Origin game as a ‘disgrace’.
Former referees leader Bill Harrigan, who has overseen 21 origin games, said on Wednesday he can’t understand the decision to appoint Gerard Sutton, Bernard Sutton’s brother, and Ashley Klein over Matt Cecchin as the whistle men in the origin opener.
Mr Harrigan let fly at referee boss Bernard Sutton and referees coach Russell Smith for their decision not appoint the NRL’s ‘best’ referee for the show piece event.
Refereeing great Bill Harrigan (pictured) has labelled the choice of referees for Wednesday’s State of Origin game as a ‘disgrace’
Matt Cecchin (pictured) was not chosen as a referee for this year’s State of Origin opener, despite being the most experienced
‘Let me tell you if he (Cecchin) was slightly out of form, and I don’t think he is, but if he was, that would still be better than Ashley Klein on his best day,’ he said.
Mr Harrigan told Triple M radio the decision had left him flabbergasted, Fox Sports reported.
He was quick to point out he was in no way trying to disrespect the tow match referees selected.
Mr Harrigan said he simply couldn’t understand how the most experienced referee was not chosen for the role.
Ashley Klein (pictured) was one of the referees selected to oversee the State of Origin opening match on Wednesday
Gerard Sutton (pictured) will referee the opening State of Origin Game alongside Ashley Klein in Melbourne on Wednesday
Mr Cecchin was appointed as an assistant referee this past weekend.
Mr Harrigan said the appointment was ‘an absolute joke’ for a referee who has overseen ‘280 first grade games plus 150 lines.’
Mr Harrigan compared the refereeing decision to Queensland choosing not to select a fit and available Johnathon Thurston.
‘That’s the equivalent of what they’ve done to Matty Cecchin, in the same weekend, Bernie Sutton appoints his younger brother to his third, fourth or fifth lead referee’s position on the weekend … those blokes are a dead set joke,’ Harrigan said.
Mr Harrigan implored NRL CEO Todd Greenberg to address and take action against the ‘perceived injustice’.