NRL finals: Ashley Klein removed from referee duties amid public backlash

On Air
Sportstalk

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2026, 8:18pm

Referee Ashley Klein and Newcastle Knights Winger Greg Marzhew at the Warriors v Knights semi-finals at Eden Park on September 20, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. Herald photograph by Alyse Wright

It was recently confirmed that NRL referee Ashley Klein has been removed from duty from the preliminary finals following 3 heavily controversial calls in the Warriors' semi-final defeat to the Knights on Sunday.

Klein and the Bunker came under heavy fire from the general public and media on both sides of the Tasman - as a missed obstruction penalty in the final minutes would've given the Warriors a chance to send the game to golden point.

Jake Duke is an NRL commentator with Fox League, he joined D'Arcy to discuss.

LISTEN ABOVE