Paul Gallen blew up on Friday night over what he called “the stupidest rule in rugby league”, after Harry Grant was penalised for a ball strip.
Early in the Storm’s clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium, referee Grant Atkins penalised the Melbourne hooker after he raked the ball off Reece Robson.
Harry Grant argues with Grant Atkins. Harry Grant.
The Roosters hooker took a run from dummy-half and Grant, who was at marker, swiped the ball out of his hands. It was a one-on-one strip but, as the referee explained, Grant hadn’t made a genuine attempt to tackle.
Dumbfounded, Phil Gould repeatedly asked “why?“.
“Who made up the rule?” the legendary coach said on Nine.
Gallen unloaded.
“I’ve got no idea [why the rule exists], but that is the stupidest rule in rugby league,” the former Sharks and Blues captain said.
“It’s almost as bad as the stupid short dropout [rule] where if it doesn’t go 10 metres they just get a play-the-ball instead of a penalty.
“If a guy is running from dummy-half trying to attack the defensive line, you should be allowed to do what you want – legally.
“Playing at the ball – who cares? You’re trying to make a tackle.
“It’s ridiculous. He’s running, he [the defender] hits the arm, and he drops the ball. It should be a Melbourne Storm ball.”
As Grant argued with the referee, Atkins explained “the interpretation” with a shake of his head.