The appointment of Shayne Hayne and Ashley Klein as referees for the first State of Origin has raised some eyebrows north and south of the border and will certainly influence the game plan implemented by Mal Meninga and Laurie Daley.
Daniel Anderson, in appointing both referees stated that “Shane and Ashley have consistently been among the best-performed referees each week.”
If this is the case then it is easy to see why the honeymoon period for Anderson is over and the scrutiny is building against him like it did for his predecessors.
The refereeing standards continue to be dogged by inconsistent and inept performances on a weekly basis, and in making these appointments Anderson is opening himself up for criticism like he will have never experienced before.
The problem lies in the contrasting styles between both referees. Hayne’s inability to penalise a side for not getting back the 10 metres, plus his ability to ‘find’ a penalty at the most inappropriate time should certainly ring alarm bells for both sides.
Klein on the other hand has a tendency to penalise a side out of the game and has regularly been criticised for his incapacity to get a feel for a game and let it flow.
Both sides have chosen mobile forward packs, with Queensland’s choice of four mobile forwards on the bench gaining the most attention.
The standard reply for this is to refer to Sydney’s surface and that the first game is always played in the middle third. What needs to be considered is the home ground advantage, and the fact that penalties are usually kept to a minimum in these big games.
If Hayne continues his form of not getting sides back the required 10 then you would probably prefer to have mobile forwards playing front row so you can take advantage of the leniency.
The best possible result for Daniel Anderson is that the performance of the referees is not even mentioned following game one, but if previous form is anything to go by (especially this year) then there is a terrible thought that this game, and ultimately the series, will be decided by the men in the middle.
Lynne
Guest
Would anybody be happy with the referee appointments - No I think not. Coaches and players should know the rules, otherwise they shouldn't be coaching or playing, so abide by them and everything else will be fine. Consistancy is the main factor, each one has different standards, but this is life in general these days parents, teachers not everything has the same standards.
Bulldog
Guest
The more important question is who are the video ref's. Given the way the onfield referee decisions have been getting overturned without "conclusive" evidence should be the premise of this article. If Luke Patten is one of them then the QLD boys might as well expect a pretty ordinary night.
manlyman
Guest
Good article good points.. its hard to pick refs because frankly they are all terrible! Klein does penalize teams out of games I call it killing the other teams life. But they all do it. Warriors v melb titans v parra manly v Melbourne tigers v Melbourne souths v everyone lol. I would of gone with badger and that guy with the same small tatts under his arms blonde chap! Whoever he is those two I think seem to not be influenced by the players or crowd and judge it on there own thoughts.. worst refs aka game killers :Klein,Maxwell,checcin. Maxwell by far the worst ref in the last 5 years he has single handly ruined many good game can't stand his horse like face neeeh
Tru Blu
Guest
As a Blues supporter Klein is a good option because he's one of the biggest hometown-Harry's going around, forever scarred by Sicky' rant.
seven dollers worth
Guest
With Hayne as Ref, NSW will win game one. Just watch Hayne go hard on the penalty count against QLD. Anderson is fair and gets the majority of calls correct. Go the Blues.
jack
Guest
I like Daniel Anderson but boy he needs to look at the standard of video calls especially the St George game on Friday night in my opinion after watching the game for 70 years they were tries (I do not follow St/G) jack
Kirsten
Guest
Well written article and i agree with all those points you raised. I think NSW will be the biggest beneficiaries of these two refs as it is probably the year to even things up.
djcooper
Guest
Agree with that Ian but I don't have a problem with them utilising the video ref. It's the inconsistencies and the lack of feel for the game that worries me. I swear that the refs don’t have an understanding about how game changing a penalty can be.
Ian M
Guest
If they were picking the refs on current form I reckon they would have to go with Luke Phillips and Gavin Badger*. My God, that statement says a hell of a lot about the standard of the officials this season. * actually he's probably been as woeful as the rest of them but at least he seems prepared to make a call without going to the video ref at every opportunity