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Ashley Klein is an Australian rugby league referee. He first refereed in England, beginning his career in the Rugby League Conference, but returned to Australia and referees in the National Rugby League.[3]
Klein refereed the NRL grand finals in 2018[4] and 2022,[5] and has been appointed to control the 2024 grand final.[6]
His first professional game was Workington Town v Featherstone Rovers on 8 September 2002. His first Super League game was Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on 15 June 2003. In 2006 Klein was named by the Rugby League International Federation as referee of the year.[7] Klein was in charge of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Final in Australia. He quit Super League in 2009 to return to Australia, to rejoin his wife and children.[8]
Klein is a former Parramatta Eels junior referee.[9] He is the son of former Penrith player John Klein.[10]
On 17 February 2012, Klein was the referee for the 2012 World Club Challenge match between Leeds Rhinos and Manly Sea Eagles at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium in Leeds which saw the English side win 26-12. On 19 April 2013 he was the referee for the 2013 Anzac Test.
As of 17 July 2024, Klein has refereed 17 State of Origin games.[11] He refereed the final of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.[12]
- ^ "- Ashley Klein (referee) - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ "Rugby League Tables / Referees 1939-2013". 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ "Ashley Klein - Referee Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Sutton and Klein to referee grand final". National Rugby League. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Klein, Badger ready to play their part in Grand Final showpiece". National Rugby League. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Pengilly, Adam; Chamas, Michael; Eder, Billie; Walsh, Dan (30 September 2024). "Butler left out of NRL grand final after controversial bunker call". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Awards". rlif.com. Rugby League International Federation. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
- ^ Fisher, Michael (21 January 2009). "Top referee Ashley Klein going back to Australia". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ NRL ref Klein heading home to Australia NRL.com
- ^ Masters, Roy (6 September 2022). "Who'd be a ref? Cream of officials crop also set to rise as finals loom". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Custom Match List - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Klein, Sharpe to referee World Cup deciders". National Rugby League. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024.