Klein dumped as NRL appoint new grand-final referee
George Clarke |
Grant Atkins looks to have usurped Ashley Klein as the NRL’s No.1 official after being handed control of the grand final for the first time in his refereeing career.
Atkins, who has regularly refereed at NRL level for over a decade, will be the man in the middle for Sunday’s decider between Melbourne and Brisbane, League Central announced on Tuesday.
Chris Sutton and David Munro have been appointed as touch judges, while Klein will be in charge of the bunker.
Atkins’ grand-final appointment marks a significant departure from Klein’s position as the game’s top ref.
Klein has overseen every game of the last four State of Origin series and two of the last three grand finals, but his decision-making has come under significant scrutiny during this year’s finals series.
Klein sinbinned Canberra forward Hudson Young for celebrating a Reece Walsh error during the Raiders’ qualification-final loss to Brisbane in week one.
Brisbane fullback Walsh attempted to launch a headbutt at the Raiders back-rower, but was given the same sanction by Klein.
The experienced referee’s performance was also questioned by Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon following his side’s preliminary-final loss to Melbourne.
Fitzgibbon was critical of the amount of ball in play with Klein blowing 18 penalties.
Meanwhile, Belinda Sharpe will oversee the NRLW grand final between the Sydney Roosters and the Broncos earlier on Sunday.
Sharpe was in charge of all three of this year’s women’s State of Origin series.
Chris Butler will be the bunker official while Ethan Klein and Rochelle Tamarua run touch.
AAP
