‘So wrong’: Phil Gould savages ‘billion to one’ NRL rule as Dolphins denied

Phil Gould’s running battle with one of the NRL’s most contentious rules has continued as the Dolphins’ perfect start was denied.

It's an obstruction every day of the week but Phil Gould has slammed the rule. Photo: Fox Sports

One of the NRL’s most contentious rules has once again reared its ugly head as the obstruction rule took centre stage in the Battle of Brisbane.

It was just four minutes into the match when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow looked to have scored on the left hand side.

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Having shifted from fullback, where he has been a revelation in 2023, Tabuai-Fibow was shifted to the centres where he had starred for Queensland throughout the Origin series.

The move appeared to have paid off immediately as Tabuai-Fidow muscled his way over the line.

But it was called back as when the Dolphins shifted the ball wide, prop Connelly Lemuelu collided with Adam Reynolds back on the inside.

While the bunker has had some howlers this round with Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s try awarded and David Fifita’s try today denied, this was not one of them.

By the rule book, it was the right call.

It's an obstruction every day of the week but Phil Gould has slammed the rule. Photo: Fox Sports

However, even Broncos legend Corey Parker said it left a bad taste in the mouth as it’s unlikely Reynolds would have made much of, if any, impact on the play.

“To the letter of the law, it’s correct,” Parker said.

“But Adam Reynolds in the line, not in the line, that man still scores.

“They get away with it here the Broncos.”

Bulldogs supremo and Channel 9 commentator Phil Gould has long been critical of the obstruction rule and hit out via social media.

“Bunker …. Adam Reynolds was a billion to one to chase Hamiso … He had zero intention of chasing a Hamiso … They get the obstruction rule so wrong …” he said.

And it played into the Broncos’ hands as they led 14-6 at the halftime break.

While it was a perfect start denied, Tabuai-Fidow didn’t appear as comfortable in his new position, making just three runs for 20m as Fox League’s Cooper Cronk called for him to get more involved.

“He is their biggest threat — if the Dolphins are to win, he either has to be moved to fullback or he has to be way more involved at left centre,” he said.

The night was historic for another reason as it was the first NRL match played at the Gabba, with the ground packed full for the second Derby match between the teams.

Incredible scenes at the Gabba. Photo: Fox Sports

Parker said the second ever Battle of Brisbane was as big as the first.

“Getting tickets was like finding hen’s teeth,” he said on Fox League.

Having relocated from Suncorp Stadium, which is both teams’ home ground, due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, it shows rugby league fans will follow the footy wherever it goes.

However, Gould said the Dolphins should have been in the competition long ago.

“Look at this crowd … Dolphin v Bronco … Why did they resist for so long to put a second team in Brisbane? … I shakes me head ….” he wrote.

And after these scenes, it’s hard to understand why.