The decision proved the turning point in the match as the Blues pulled off the biggest comeback in Origin history to win 22-20 in Sydney.<\/p>\n
Klein\u2019s decision split the rugby league world. Audio from Klein\u2019s microphone appearing to show the veteran referee overruling the direction of the Bunker only intensified the debate around the decision.<\/p>\n
On Thursday afternoon the NRL released a statement backing Klein.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to-head contact with no mitigating factors,\u201d NRL GM of elite competitions Graham Annesley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.<\/p>\n
\u201cConfirmation of direct, forceful shoulder-to-head contact through a shoulder charge action meant the referee decided the correct course of action was to dismiss the player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Code Sports rugby League reporter Brent Read then shed light on the interaction between Klein and Bunker official Chris Butler on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
![\"Ponga](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8005c222bfe1d904be4d6e2eb0923261.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NRL has clarified that today and what the Bunker was saying was it\u2019s at least a sin bin,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Colleague Michael Carryannis, meanwhile, \u201cloved\u201d that Klein took charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was clear and concise and he knew what he saw,\u201d he said on NRL 360 on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe on-field referee is there to be guided by the Bunker. They\u2019re not to be told what to do. \u201cAt the end of the day the decision rests with the on-field referee, and he got it right.<\/p>\n
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta lauded Klein and urged more NRL referees to follow his lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe say it all the time, we say that referees are the closest to it, why don\u2019t they make the calls more,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also say we want referees to have more feel for the game. He\u2019s the boss not the Bunker.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere we are in one of the biggest moments we\u2019ve seen in Origin and he\u2019s backed himself.<\/p>\n
Anasta then challenged co-host and Maroons legend Gorden Tallis to declare the send off was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Tallis replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormally when it\u2019s a send-off, it\u2019s normally 90 or 100 per cent that guy has to leave the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that we miss head clashes and they say accidental head clashes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read and Carryannis, however, said reverse camera angles of the incident clearly showed Ponga\u2019s shoulder hit Koula\u2019s head.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem was that wasn\u2019t just a head clash. If that was just a head clash I\u2019m with you and it wasn\u2019t a send-off,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the shoulder contact that kills him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a clear shoulder to the head and I think it\u2019s a send off every day of the week,\u201d Carryannis added.<\/p>\n
Tallis then lamented the impact the decision had on the contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo ruin the product is not the referee\u2019s call,\u201d Carryannis responded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe health of Tolu Koula is more important than the NRL,\u201d Read added.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting footballers\u2019 heads in the age of concussion is more important than almost the game itself.\u201d<\/p>\n