Ashley Klein cannot be given the opportunity to officiate any more big games in NRL after the farcical send-off of Kalyn Ponga in State of Origin Game 1.

Ponga became just the seventh man in Origin history to see red after a shoulder charge NSW winger Tolu Koula in the second half. Klein is responsible for four of those seven send-offs.

"I want to paint a picture," Parker said on SENQ Breakfast. "Origin has been going for 46 years, there have been seven send-offs in history. Ashley Klein has been responsible for four of them.

"Walsh and Luai in 2023 which was garbage, Sua'ali'i a year after and now Ponga. Disaster. It has such an effect on the result.

"I called the game, I was measured and I have now had time to digest.

"After digesting what I witnessed. The still shots we have seen and the wording that goes with it is incorrect.

"The bunker thought it was incorrect! Klein was still adamant! He called illegal play!

"Hang on a second, if we have this $22m facility with cameras everywhere then take a leaf out of their book!

"Surely that’s the last big game Klein gets."

Even those barracking for NSW thought the send-off was a joke.

Echoing Parker's sentiment, SEN's Greg Alexander said: “No, not a send off, it’s a sin bin,”

“I said it on the call. There was a conversation going on with the bunker and Ashley was adamant as though he had advice otherwise. He was adamant it was shoulder to the head with force.

“It’s a high shot but not worthy of a send-off. Contact with the head yes, sin bin, yes, force yes.

"There was no intent. He turns his body to brace himself for impact, that’s all he did. Contact was made, bin him but no contact. It’s not a send off.”

Despite conceding 22 unanswered points, Queensland did not deserve to lose Game I of this year's State of Origin series, according to Parker.

In a match of massive momentum shifts, Billy Slater's men got off to a hot start with debutant Sam Walker helping the Maroons get out to a 20-0 lead at the 20-minute mark.

While NSW was able to get on the scoreboard eventually through Hudson Young, Queensland was in the box seat to take a 1-nil in the best-of-three series going into half time.

But the Ponga incident turned everything on its head with NSW able to exploit the numerical advantage and pile on the score.

It took until the final 90 seconds, with James Tedesco coming down with a Nathan Cleary high ball to score a try, helping secure the result.

While furious with the referee, parker insists there are positives to take from the loss.

"There could have been an opportunity to have a different selection of tackle given the fact that he was so close to the sideline (and) Sam Walker was in tow," Parker said on SEN’s Maroons Radio.

“If he (Kalyn Ponga) gets interviewed after the game, he will say that he made a poor error and he's let the team down, (because) ultimately that's what's happened.

“They did not deserve to lose that game, Queensland.

“They were hanging on so desperately, but it's just so hard when you go a man down with 23 minutes left on the clock. It's so difficult.

“When you're up against the game's best, it is so difficult.

“(And) Nathan Cleary, on cue, he was solid without being great up until that point.

“40/20, scores a try, sets one up, game, set, match and has broken Queensland's hearts.

“But for us, you talk about positives, absolutely (there is).

“If Queensland wins, Sam Walker is Man of the Match, without a doubt, Sam Walker is Man of the Match.”

MATCH RECAP

In an Origin clash for the ages, New South Wales has pulled off the biggest comeback in the series' history, overcoming a 20-point deficit to win Game I.

But it certainly wasn't without controversy, with a referring call that will be spoken about at length throughout the coming days.

After conceding the first 20 points of the match within the first 20 minutes, the Maroons looked destined to continue their strong record at Accor Stadium, having won three of their last four clashes at the venue.

The Blues did manage a score before half-time, with Hudson Young getting on the end of a Nathan Cleary grubber kick to see NSW trail by 14 points at the main break.

Laurie Daley's men continue to build momentum in the second half. But it wasn't until Queensland was reduced to 12 men as a result of Kalyn Ponga being sent off for a shoulder charge on Tolutau Koula at the 57th minute that the game would change in the Blues' favour.

Minutes later, NSW made the most of the extra man with debutant Ethan Strange running over to score his first try at the level.

Then, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Penrith's Nathan Cleary executed a 40/20, which laid the groundwork to score a try of his own in their next set to bring the margin within four points.

Queensland then proceeded to defend valiantly before conceding in the final 90 seconds, with the re-selected James Tedesco catching Cleary's high ball to tie before the superstar halfback sealed the famous result.

See all the big moments below.

LIVE BLOG

FULL TIME

QLD 20-22 NSW

Tedesco pulls off NSW comeback

QLD 20-22 NSW

James Tedesco has tied the match with Nathan Cleary converting the try to give NSW their first lead of the match with five seconds remaining on the clock.

Queensland on tender hooks

QLD 20-16 NSW

Who would have thought that the Blues would get within a try of Queensland's score after Sam Walker kicked that penalty goal, hey?

Well, that's exactly what has happened with the superstar Nathan Cleary managing a 40/20 which was then followed up by a try.

Maroons left off the hook

NSW 10-20 QLD

Queensland has gotten lucky there!

NSW should have closed the lead down to four points with the Blues having three players wide open for a try.

But James Tedesco has thrown a stinker of a pass resulting in a drop from Haumole Olakau'atu with a chance gone begging.

Blues close the margin

NSW 10-20 QLD

With the Maroons down to 12 men, the Blues have made the most of the advantage with yet another Raider crossing over.

This time it is Ethan Strange who has scored a magnificant try on his debut.

Nathan Cleary misses the conversion which keeps the lead at 10 points.

Can they close it down in with 16 minutes left?

Ponga SENT OFF

QLD 20-6 NSW

Wow!

Kalyn Ponga has been sent off by Ashley Klein for a shoulder charge on Toluatu Koula.

And on Maroons Radio, Corey Parker and Moses Mybe were not surprised by the call.

Moses Mbye: "It's a really bad play, it's a shocker."

Corey Parker: "It is. I mean there was no wrapping attempt, he comes in, he hits him flush across the Chevy Chase (face), he split him open.

"It's going to be a send-off for this."

Will the Blues be able to make the most of it or can the Maroons defend their 14-point lead with 25 minutes left?

Second half is underway

Half time

QLD 20-6 NSW

Blues finally strike back

QLD 20-6 NSW

It's taken Laurie Daley's men until the 26th minute, but they're on the scoreboard at long last.

Hudson Young is the man to do it, having managed to score a try courtesy of a Nathan Cleary grubber kick.

Walker keeps the momentum going

QLD 20-0 NSW

Sam Walker is continuing to pile on the points for the Maroons, having scored a penalty goal courtesy of Mitch Barnett being offside.

He maintains his perfect record from the tee tonight as Queensland continues to dominate possession while the Blues are making plenty of errors.

I don't think many Queensland fans could have dreamed of a start like this.

The Maroons keep their foot on the pedal

QLD 18-0 NSW

What a start this is turning out to be!

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has found the try line to score the Maroons' third try of the match.

This time it's Cameron Munster who finds the gap with a grubber kick, which sees the Hammer nail a hammer blow to NSW.

Walker nails the conversion once again.

Walker finds another try assist

QLD 12-0 NSW

In his first Origin game in 1,071 days, Tom Fleger has gotten on the scoreboard with a try set up thanks to Sam Walker.

He's having a sensation opening 15 minutes!

Roosters duo combines for opening score

QLD 6-0 NSW

Sam Walker has started his Origin career with a bang, having nailed a grubber kick to see Robert Toia through for a try on the right edge.

Queensland couldn't ask for a better start here.

And Walker has nailed the conversation for a six-point lead.

Kick-off

We're underway here at Accor Stadium!

Final squad

Queensland

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Robert Toia 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Cameron Munster 7. Sam Walker 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Max Plath 14. Briton Nikora 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Trent Loiero 18. Ezra Mam 19. Gehamat Shibasaki

Coach: Billy Slater

Could Mam be the Maroons' man?

Game I will be the first time that we have a six-man bench in State of Origin.

With that change, it has added an extra element of intrigue in selection.

One of the players that will feature on Queensland's bench is Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam, with Chad Townsend believing he could be the X-Factor for Billy Slater's side.

“He's the X factor you've got on the Queensland bench,” Townsend said.

“There's no doubt about it, a game breaker, and at his best.

“You talk about someone who can come on and change the game with his leg speed, with his speed, his footwork, his passing game.

“When I think about Queensland, the way that Michael Morgan used to play, remember when Michael Morgan, they used to split the field, middle of the field, and then Michael Morgan, they'd almost play two fullbacks, right?

“They'd split two halves, one half on either side, they'd have a fullback, and then Michael Morgan.

“So, it's been entrenched in the way that the Queenslanders have played for a long time, but Ezra Mam (is) absolutely someone who can come on and break the game wide open for Queensland, depending on how Billy Slater will use his six-man bench.”