Ashley Klein

Last updated

Ashley Klein
Ashley Klein 2023.jpg
Klein in 2023
Refereeing information
YearsCompetitionApps
2002 Northern Ford Premiership
20032008 Super League 150
2009 National Rugby League 416
Source: [1] [2]
Father John Klein

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] 2022, [5] and 2024. [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] In September 2024, he became the second person to reach 400 matches refereed in the NRL when he presided over the elimination final between the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys. [9] [10]

Klein is a former Parramatta Eels junior referee. [11] He is the son of former Penrith player John Klein. [12]

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. [13] On 19 April 2013 he was the referee for the 2013 Anzac Test. [14]

As of 9 July 2025, Klein has refereed 20 State of Origin games. [15] He refereed the final of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England. [16]

References

  1. "- Ashley Klein (referee) - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  2. "Rugby League Tables / Referees 1939-2013". 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  3. "Ashley Klein - Referee Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. "Sutton and Klein to referee grand final". National Rugby League. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  5. "Klein, Badger ready to play their part in Grand Final showpiece". National Rugby League. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  6. 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.
  7. "Awards". rlif.com. Rugby League International Federation. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  8. Fisher, Michael (21 January 2009). "Top referee Ashley Klein going back to Australia". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  9. Walter, Brad (20 September 2024). "How Klein overcame career threatening injury to referee 400 NRL games". NRL. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  10. "Ashley Klein appointed NRL grand final referee as league snubs video ref slammed by Ivan Cleary". ABC News. October 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  11. NRL ref Klein heading home to Australia NRL.com
  12. 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.
  13. Mascord, Steve (19 February 2012). "Rhinos trample Wolfman in his comeback game". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  14. nzrl.co.nz. "2013 Anzac Test (VB Test)". Past Tests. New Zealand Rugby League. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  15. "Custom Match List - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  16. "Klein, Sharpe to referee World Cup deciders". National Rugby League. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2024.