Commentators, fans stunned by 'inexplicable' referee moment that halted Origin epic

Rugby league fans were lucky to witness what was one of the best State of Origin contests ever played on Wednesday night.

New South Wales prevailed 14-4 after an epic 80-minute arm wrestle in which a try wasn't even scored until the 64th minute.

The Blues then crossed the line twice in quick succession to secure just their third ever Origin decider victory in Brisbane, and first in 19 years.

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But while the players ran themselves into the ground and had fans off their seats, the atmosphere was flattened momentarily by a truly bizarre incident late in the game.

Referee Ashley Klein is an Origin veteran but viewers would have been puzzled by a moment in the 77th minute of the contest.

Queensland was desperately trying to wrest back a 10-point deficit when Daly Cherry-Evans put a kick through the NSW defensive line.

Selwyn Cobbo poked his nose through and almost collected the bouncing ball but it went over his head, and was collected by Blues hero Bradman Best.

Klein blew his whistle to stop the game and what came out of his mouth shocked pretty much everyone except himself, and was 40 metres out from the goal line.

Re-live the 2024 State of Origin decider for free on 9Now

"I have no try," Klein began.

"We're looking at a professional foul and the possibility of a penalty try for someone maybe taking out Reece Walsh."

The Nine commentators were among the majority who had no idea what Klein had seen.

"Wow," Cameron Smith said while Andrew Johns just muttered, "please".

"We thought we had seen it all tonight," Smith said.

"You can not give a penalty try from that, you just can not."

Even Smith - a Queensland legend - was dumfounded at the suggestion of a penalty try when Walsh had five players several metres closer to the ball than himself.

Walsh had run into the back of Blues star Jarome Luai and, luckily, Bunker referee Grant Atkins immediately knocked back Klein's suggestion.

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"Jarome Luai holds his space (and) turns to face the ball, there is no illegal act by Jarome Luai," Atkins said.

Smith and Johns were conspicuously quiet in the commentary box, no doubt wondering where Klein got the suggestion from.

Former NRL player Adrian Vowles led the chorus of confusion on social media about Klein's review.

The Blues had previously won just 10 of 60 penalty counts in Brisbane and NSW coach Michael Maguire had spoken to the NRL before the game to ensure his side got fair treatment.

NSW did win Wednesday's count 9-6.

Klein let a number of acts go throughout the contest, including Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's continuous escorts to keep Zac Lomax out of the jumping contest when Mitchell Moses was peppering his wing with bombs.

Blues captain Isaah Yeo also spoke to Klein at half time about Queensland holding Blues players down in tackles to slow their play-the-balls.

But it was Maroons coach Billy Slater who complained about Klein's performance following the game.

"Things just weren't going our way, it didn't feel like we got the bounce of the ball or the rub of the green and that tells in the end with fatigue," Slater said.

"I'm sure the referee will review his own game. I'm sure his boss will review his game."