The NRL replaces referee Ashley Klein for the upcoming preliminary finals after a decision is found to have directly affected the result of a match. All three outlets frame the move as driven by the clear influence of Klein’s call on the outcome, making his omission for the next round effectively unavoidable.

The articles describe the decision as part of standard officiating practice following match-impacting calls, rather than a punishment aimed at an individual referee. While they focus on the same core rationale, they differ only in emphasis: each publication highlights that one “bad call” creates a scenario where the NRL has no practical option but to stand the referee down for the next high-stakes match.

Overall, the sources agree that the NRL’s selection process for preliminary finals considers the reliability of officiating in critical games, particularly when a referee’s judgement is tied to a decisive moment. The reporting does not detail alternative disciplinary actions, instead centring on the league’s management of match officiating for the finals series.