{"id":900009,"date":"2026-09-21T11:24:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T11:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/900009\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T11:24:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T11:24:12","slug":"nrl-2026-bottles-thrown-at-ref-ashley-klein-after-controversy-in-knights-semi-final-win-over-warriors-bunker-decisions-video-latest-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/900009\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL 2026: Bottles thrown at ref Ashley Klein after controversy in Knights semi-final win over Warriors, Bunker decisions, video, latest news"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Knights won a semi-final laced in controversy<\/a> 12-10 after the Warriors were on the receiving end of three tough calls which are set to prove costly for one of the game\u2019s top whistle-blowers.<\/p>\n

In the wake of the contest Code Sports reported<\/a> projectiles were thrown at referee Ashley Klein and the other officials as they came off the field in ugly scenes.<\/p>\n

Now, 9News\u2019 Danny Weidler has revealed that Klein is set to be axed for the preliminary finals after his performance in Newcastle\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n

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According to the SMH<\/a>, the Warriors reached out to the NRL on Monday morning to question several calls \u2014 with a specific focus on Tyson Frizell\u2019s actions in the dying stages.<\/p>\n

With 50 seconds left on the clock, fill-in fullback Fletcher Sharpe fielded a Warriors bomb close to his line and looked to have won the game for the Knights.<\/p>\n

But replays showed Knights forward Frizell blocking the Warriors chasers, which the NRL reportedly confirmed should have resulted in a penalty and the potential for New Zealand to send the game to extra time.<\/p>\n

Regardless if the NRL\u2019s admission, Warriors legend Shaun Johnson lamented the actions of fans following the heated contest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth under what\u2019s been an unbelievable night,\u201d former he said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe colours, the energy, the happiness, the celebration. But there\u2019s just no need for it. It\u2019s just embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The NRL said in a statement that \u201cthe safety of match officials, along with players, officials and fans is paramount\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone found breaching the required standards can expect to be subject to significant sanctions, including being banned from venues,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

Johnson said that Warriors fans were directing their frustration at the wrong person, declaring Klein \u201cprobably reffed the best game of rugby league I\u2019ve seen in a long time\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t take any gamesmanship in terms of people laying down. He didn\u2019t let people approach him whinging. He didn\u2019t make the game about him. He let the players come and play and essentially they dictated the outcome,\u201d Johnson added.<\/p>\n

He did however, like several rugby league fans, take issue with a number of key Bunker calls that went against the Warriors. <\/p>\n

Warriors CEO Cameron George was shocked by the game\u2019s officiating, which led him to reach out to the NRL.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was disappointing because a warning was sent out to the clubs about (escorts) this week; it was extremely obvious that\u2019s what occurred with (Tyson Frizell),\u201d George said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen to have no review or anything done by the referee, it was disappointing. We have to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

PRESS CONFERENCES<\/p>\n

WARRIORS: Webster\u2019s scathing take on calls that ended Warriors\u2019 season<\/a><\/p>\n

KNIGHTS: Holbrook says he \u2018didn\u2019t even notice\u2019 game-deciding missed call<\/a><\/p>\n

Bunker drama: 3 controversial calls! | 01:23<\/p>\n

The drama all started in the 71st minute when Bradman Best dropped a Kalyn Ponga pass.<\/p>\n

The Knights skipper called for a Captain\u2019s Challenge, claiming Ali Leiataua got a touch on the ball as it was passed to Best.<\/p>\n

The replays looked inconclusive, but the official in the Bunker conceded that the ball changed in its rotation due to slight contact with the Warriors centre\u2019s thumb, much to the surprise of the Fox League commentary team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s the deviation?\u201d Michael Ennis asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s having a day with the Captain\u2019s Challenge, Kalyn Ponga, he\u2019ll win a Dally M for it,\u201d commentator Andrew Voss said.<\/p>\n

Minutes later Knights winger Greg Marzhew dropped the ball 10m out from his own line as the Knights were under pressure coming out of their own end.<\/p>\n

But referee Klein said it was a strip by Te Maire Martin and awarded the Knights a penalty.<\/p>\n

Knights hold on to shock the Wahs | 04:56<\/p>\n

The Warriors challenged the call and lost despite it looking like a loose carry as Martin\u2019s hand didn\u2019t appear to rake at the ball.<\/p>\n

The Bunker disagreed, saying he moved his fingers into a stripping motion.<\/p>\n

Martin told New Zealand Herald journalist Nathan Limm<\/a> that he thought Greg Marzhew dropped the ball.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to go tackle him and got bumped off and the ball popped out. To be honest, there was no intention on stripping it. I actually got up and I sort of said a few words to him,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he dropped it… you\u2019re kind of at that level where you know not to strip there. It\u2019s not really what you need and give them an easy leg out. We had more opportunities. It didn\u2019t come down to just that one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how you get bumped off and try and strip it at the same time,\u201d Martin added.<\/p>\n

Dual Dally M Medallist Jarryd Hayne was watching on and couldn\u2019t help himself on social media as he posted on X: \u201cI\u2019ve seen it all now! Moved his fingers in a stripping motion! Bunker, Bunker, Bunker\u201d.<\/p>\n

Johnson, meanwhile, said on Sky Sports that the strip call was the one he found particularly confusing. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe terminology that came through the earpiece and hearing Chris Butler overturn this call was that Te Maire Martin regrips his fingers to strip the ball,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, that is actually taking the absolute piss. That is absurd. That is having zero feel for what it\u2019s like to be out there in the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s actually having zero feel. You can tell Chris Butler has never been bumped off in his life. I have. Okay, so I can actually talk to this.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you get bumped off, you cannot even in a world put your mind into a place of, \u2018I need to regrip my finger to strip the ball\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lost captain\u2019s challenge would prove crucial moments later.<\/p>\n

Then, aforementioned, came Frizell\u2019s alleged escort which left Fox League\u2019s commentators stunned.<\/p>\n

Webster & JFH LIVID at bunker decisions | 12:37<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, we\u2019re going to have a penalty in front of the posts. That\u2019s a penalty every day of the week,\u201d Voss said.<\/p>\n

But Klein didn\u2019t award a penalty and with no Captain\u2019s Challenge left, the game was over as the home crowd of 49,500 booed loudly. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt has to be a penalty\u2026no Challenge, so no penalty,\u201d Ennis said. <\/p>\n