The atmosphere on Channel Nine's post-match broadcast became tense following New South Wales' victory in State of Origin Game 1. Much of the discussion centred on the decision to send off Queensland's Kalyn Ponga in the second half.
Official Ashley Klein was heard saying to the bunker, 'For me that's a send off,' followed by, 'I know what you're saying but this is an illegal play.' The decision delighted the home crowd, who saw it as their way back into the game.
However, not everyone agreed. A particularly spiky response from Phil Gould led to awkward scenes between the crew. James Brayshaw asked Gould whether he thought it was a red card and whether players have a responsibility as tacklers to avoid such incidents.
Gould flat-out refused to answer, leaving the entire desk in shock as they sat in silence waiting for a follow-up. He then joked that he wanted Brayshaw to 'keep his job,' but the tension was palpable.
Gould said, 'James I suggest you ask someone else mate, rather than me, if you don't mind.' After his response, you could hear a pin drop on set as everyone waited for a meaningful follow-up. Brayshaw replied, 'We are having an open discussion about an incident that happened tonight.'
Darren Lockyer was coldly angry about the Klein call on Ponga. 'Brad and I on the sideline we could hear the thump, we could hear the noise and it looked sickening from a distance. And I think Ashley Klein when he's first seen it and heard it has made up his decision in his mind. When it went up to the bunker, the bunker was suggesting it was only 10 minutes, but Ashley Klein didn't want a bar of it,' Lockyer said.
Ex-NSW skipper and coach Brad Fittler had a more nuanced view. 'It hit his shoulder and ended up being a head clash, but as a defender you have full responsibility. Whether you believe he should have been sent off or not he had an opportunity to slow down.'
Lockyer added, 'In the end Kalyn probably thinks he's cost his team the game. I think for Queensland's perspective now, the game's gone, we are 1-0 down and we need to dust ourselves off.'
