Roosters halfback Sam Walker has urged the NRL to address the obstruction rule definitively, stating that “there’s a notable lack of consistency” following teammate Joseph Manu’s unjustly disallowed try in the 22-16 defeat against Penrith.

The NRL has acknowledged the error made by the Bunker in penalizing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for impeding Dylan Edwards, despite being 20 meters away from the incident.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary expressed his discontent with the current interpretation of the rule last Thursday, suggesting that black and white interpretations in rugby league have historically been unsuccessful.
I’m not implying that was the situation tonight—I’m neither affirming nor denying it—but historically, whenever we’ve tried to make definitive interpretations in rugby league, it hasn’t been successful. That’s just my viewpoint.
During the second half, the Roosters believed they should have been awarded a penalty when Liam Martin obstructed Sitili Tupouniua and Luke Keary in the buildup to a Sunia Turuva try. Both incidents played pivotal roles in a match decided by a six-point margin.
“I’m uncertain about the current status of the rule and what constitutes contact,” Walker stated on Monday morning. “At times, these incidents are reviewed, while at others, they are not. I’ve witnessed five instances this year where the most bizarre obstructions were called, yet there’s inconsistency in decision-making. This inconsistency is frustrating for players and supporters alike.”
Walker added, “It’s crucial for a decision to be reached promptly because nobody wants the ongoing discussion about obstruction rules.”
The NRL’s acknowledgment of the error didn’t alleviate the frustration for Roosters fans. However, dummy-half Brandon Smith emphasized the importance of officials admitting when they make mistakes.
“They’re attempting to introduce more nuanced rulings in the competition, and that was one of them,” Smith commented. “I found it rather dubious. I only became aware of the obstruction on Jared towards the end of the game, which was quite perplexing.”
Smith continued, “While it might be frustrating for some, I view it positively that the NRL is willing to admit when they’ve erred. It’s not an easy thing to do, and their acknowledgment of mistakes is commendable. Acknowledging our own mistakes can be challenging at times. It may cause frustration for fans and players, but as long as we can learn from them, it’s acceptable.