NRL 2026: Calls for immediate rule change after call sparks moment never seen in 118 years

The NRL's head of football Graham Annesley has declared referee Liam Kennedy made the right call to award Parramatta a penalty shot after a field-goal in golden-point on Friday night against the Cowboys. But fans and commentators are calling on the NRL to change - or at least clarify - the wording in the rules around golden point that allowed Parramatta to win by three points.

Mitch Moses nailed a field-goal in extra time to put the Eels up 31-30, and Scott Drinkwater was put on report for making contact with Moses' kicking leg. The game would normally finish as soon as Moses' field-goal went over, but the referee awarded the Eels a shot at penalty goal in front because of Drinkwater's foul play.

It meant Parramatta won 33-30, the first time a team has ever won by three points in golden-point. It was also the first instance of a 33-30 scoreline in the 118-year history of professional rugby league in Australia. But confusion has erupted as to whether the referee did the right thing.

NRL rules state a penalty shot can be awarded if there's foul play on a kicker going for a field-goal. But the rules also state that a golden-point game ends as soon as a tie is broken.

NRL says referee got three-point play correct

Crucially, there doesn't appear to be any wording in the rule book about what should occur if both things happen on the same play - as we saw on Friday night. But on Saturday, Annesley said Kennedy made the right move.

"The penalty after the field-goal was the correct decision. The fouled team is entitled to the additional penalty given there had been an act of foul play. It's important to note had the kick missed or hit the upright the game would have been over. The laws specifically say play does not continue after the kick."

Similarly, a team would get an eight-point play if an act of foul play occurs on a try-scorer in golden-point. Nonetheless, most are in agreeance that the game should end as soon as the winning point is scored - like when a try is scored in golden-point and the conversion doesn't take place.

Billy Slater said in commentary for Channel 9: "It's golden-point. I thought once a point is scored the game is over." Phil Gould added: "It should be over. The game should end with the penalty. We don't need this."

NRL urged to change or clarify rule

Many were left questioning whether the ball would have been in play had the Eels hit the post with the penalty goal attempt. But the rules state the ball is dead if it misses, and play would normally restart with a kick-off. In golden-point the game would have ended as soon as the ball hit the post.

It's likely the NRL will need to tweak the rules and add some wording around foul play on a successful field-goal attempt in golden-point. The general consensus is that Friday night's decision shouldn't happen again and a golden-point game should end as soon as the tie is broken.

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