Queensland Maroons legend Cooper Cronk has defended Ash Klein after sin-binning Felise Kaufusi just before half-time in State of Origin II which led to a New South Wales try.

Speaking on NRL 360, Cronk said the Blues were brave for turning down the penalty goal from the ensuing play.

“If you isolate it, it’s just a penalty,” Cronk said of Kaufusi’s binning.

“But it was the three of four restarts leading into that moment.”

NSW’s decision to take the cap saw Brian To’o score in the corner to take the lead.

“Queensland were leading at that stage and the courage that NSW showed to take the tap.. I think.. was the turning point. They could have easily taken the two. The conservative nature would have been to take the two but it was a hell of a call and they came up with the rewards.”