The Serve

Ref Hayne panned

Referee Shayne Hayne has been critisied heavily by both teams after a controversial debut to State Of Origin rugby league.

Not giving a penalty until the 50th minute, the most contentious moment of the match came when a suspect pass led to Steven Bell’s crucial try for Queensland.

“We all saw it was forward - or line ball - but you can’t refer that to the video referee. That was up to his discretion” said a seething Blues captain Danny Buderus.

Queensland coach Mal Meninga was angry with Hayne’s general performance: “Did we get the rub of the green? Did we get any decisions to go our way? How was the 10 metres? Were we back 12 and were they back eight? What about their markers around the ruck? They picked us off pretty easily, we get pinged for holding down. They never did. I thought it was a pretty ordinary display”.