'Drives me insane': Phil Gould and Paul Gallen go head-to-head over controversial rule

Rugby league legend Phil Gould has blasted the NRL's obstruction rule following two tries which were disallowed on Sunday's clash between the Sharks and Dragons.

St George's Matt Dufty and Cronulla's Chad Townsend were both denied tries due to obstruction offences in the first half.

Both decisions prompted Gould to unload on the NRL bunker with the rugby league great declaring those in charge "have absolutely no idea what obstruction is."

Gould also took aim at media scrutiny which he believes is part of the reason how the game is officiated.

"The people in the bunker have absolutely no idea what obstruction is," Gould said.

"People who support these types of rulings in the media have got no idea how to play the game.

"Both were really poor defence. No one was obstructed and we pull it up and give it a different interpretation up in the bunker. A lot of these happen in general play 50 times and they just let it go.

"When a try is scored, they put another interpretation on it and the interpretation is floored. It's about obstruction, someone has to actually be obstructed. No one was obstructed in either play. Poor defence was rewarded with a penalty.

"Stop referring it to the bunker.

"They will keep doing it because there are morons in the media that will keep supporting those decisions. There are people who know absolutely nothing about the game that will keep supporting that because they want a black and white interpretation they can understand with their tiny little brains."

Following Gould's criticism, former Cronulla captain Paul Gallen weighed in on the debate.

Gallen said he agreed with the comments made by Gould but thought the decision of 'no try' on Townsend's effort was the correct call.

That statement prompted the two league legends to butt heads and get into an on-air clash over how the obstruction rule should be officiated.

Gallen: "I'm with you on one Gus, but I'm against you on the other. I think the Dragon's one was a try."

Gould: "Well your brain's shrinking."

Gallen: "I'm trying to help you out."

"What the bunker has to understand is the space the Dragons are trying to exploit. It was Zac Lomax going inside Josh Dugan which held Dugan up. That was a try, I agree.

"But I think the Sharks' one was not a try. You can't catch the ball on the inside shoulder of a lead runner. That's a black and white rule."

Gould: "But that's a stupid rule."

Gallen: "But that's the rule."

Gould: "Who was obstructed?"

Gallen: "Ben Hut was obstructed, he couldn't see the player out the back.

Gould: "He made a ridiculously stupid decision in defence."

Gallen: "But he caught the ball on the inside shoulder. They are the rules."

Gould: "Who ever made that rule, lock them up and never let them out.

"As soon as people start this inside shoulder, outside shoulder (rule). I used to hear you (Gallen) run up to the referee…it's like using the bunker as another defender. You used to drive me mad."

When the debate finally concluded, Sydney Roosters legend Brad Fittler had a simple and cheeky message for Gallen.

"Gal, fight him (Gould)," Fittler said.

"Just fight him. Get it over and done with."