Ashley Klein

Ashley Klein

Australia AustraliaofficialMale4.9Global Dominance: 0.02%

Ashley Klein is a senior referee in the National Rugby League (NRL), known for his extensive experience in officiating high-stakes matches. Recently, he was in the news due to his controversial decision-making during a match, where he ruled on a critical knock-on that affected the outcome of the game between Penrith and South Sydney.

Power17,194
Reach321,203

Country presence

Recent news mentions

Referee Ashley Klein was dropped from the preliminary final for missing an escort.

Peter V’landys has revealed his vision for rugby league. It doesn’t include more rule changes
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-26
5.0

Bunker official Ashley Klein needed several looks at Nawaqanitawase and whether his right boot brushed the paint.

Mark Nawaqanitawase on his latest magical moment as Roosters into grand final
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-25
5.0

Bunker official Ashley Klein had a good look at the passage of play before agreeing Nawaqanitawase got rid of the ball before his right boot appeared to hit the touchline.

Nawaqanitawase-inspired Roosters into grand final after dominating Dolphins
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-25
6.0

The NRL had no choice but to drop referee Ashley Klein because his Eden Park howler directly influenced the result.

It was one bad call, but the NRL had no option other than to drop Klein. Here’s why
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-22
4.0

Ashley Klein probably reffed the best game of rugby league I’ve seen in a long time tonight.

The appropriate reaction to the rogue Warriors fans at Eden Park – Editorial
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-09-21
8.0

Ashley Klein was dropped after controversial calls during a Warriors semi-final match.

NRL referee Ashley Klein dropped after controversial Warriors semi-final calls
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-09-21
4.0
Also mentioned
Nick Sautner
Nick Sautner

The absolute howler came when referee Ashley Klein missed Frizell’s infringement.

Newcastle Knights’ rise from wooden spoon to preliminary final is remarkable. But the Penrith Panthers are the big winners
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-21
4.0

Referee Ashley Klein was targeted after a controversial finish to the Warriors-Knights semi-final.

Spectators hurling projectiles at match officials is wrong, and should never happen
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-21
5.0

Top referee Ashley Klein has been dumped for failing to award an escort penalty in the final minute of Sunday’s Eden Park epic.

NRL axes top referee Ashley Klein after Eden Park blunder
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-21
3.0

Ashley Klein is praised for reffing a well-managed rugby league game.

Warriors v Knights: Referees pelted with bottles as they leave the field
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-09-20
9.0

Referee Ashley Klein refused to award a penalty in real time and the Warriors had lost their captain’s challenge.

Newcastle Knights march on after dubious decision cruels New Zealand Warriors
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-09-20
4.0

Ashley Klein has continued to officiate the code’s biggest games despite having had a gambling problem that has cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

NRL referee Ashley Klein visits Royal Randwick Racecourse despite $400,000 gambling controversy
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-08-10
4.0

Ashley Klein became the most-capped NRL referee, officiating his 444th game.

Grant injured as Rabbitohs all but end Storm’s finals hopes
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-07-24
5.0

Ashley Klein will again referee the decider, his 23rd Origin match.

State of Origin Game III: NSW v QLD line-ups, kickoff times, how to watch – all you need to know
The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863·New ZealandNew Zealand· 2026-07-07
6.0

NSW players are backing referee Ashley Klein to hold his nerve in the State of Origin series decider.

Why NSW hope Ashley Klein ignores on-field antics of Queensland Maroons star Harry Grant
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-07-05
7.0

Ashley Klein was the referee who made the decision to send off Kalyn Ponga.

Why Gould wouldn’t talk about the only thing everyone is talking about
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-05-28
5.0

Ashley Klein made the decision to send Kalyn Ponga off during Origin I.

NRL backs referee Ashley Klein’s decision in Origin I foul play ruling
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-05-28
7.0

Referee Ashley Klein decided to send off Kalyn Ponga for a shoulder charge to the head.

Should Kalyn Ponga have been sent off after Tolu Koula hit?
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-05-27
5.0

Referee Ashley Klein largely put away his whistle during the match.

Kalyn Ponga send-off changed everything
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2026-05-27
5.0

Ashley Klein has been in charge of three deciders, including 2022 and 2024, but came under fire for blowing no fewer than 18 penalties during Friday night’s preliminary final.

Could 18 penalties cost referee Ashley Klein the NRL grand final gig?
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2025-09-27
4.0

Ashley Klein is the referee whom James Graham attacked verbally.

I disapprove of James Graham’s attack on Ashley Klein. But I’ll defend his right to spray it
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2025-09-27
5.0

Tapine said he couldn’t comprehend referee Ashley Klein’s decision to sin-bin Young for 'celebrating a good play'.

Reece Walsh inspires Brisbane Broncos epic win over Raiders after headbutt and sin-binning
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2025-09-14
3.0

Unfortunately, all eyes will be on Ashley Klein after the Blues were pinged with an 8-0 first-half penalty count in Origin II.

Andrew Johns explains why NSW should win series decider
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2025-07-08
4.0

Ashley Klein was the referee during the match where the incident occurred.

Reuben Cotter and Jarome Luai
The Sydney Morning Herald·AustraliaAustralia· 2025-06-19
5.0