Rugby league greats say the advantage rule that helped Canterbury set up a vital field goal in their NRL semi-final win over Manly on Saturday night needs to be changed as soon as possible.

With six minutes remaining and the scores locked at 16-all, a last tackle kick from Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds hit referee Gerard Sutton.

Under the advantage rule, the Dogs were given a scrum feed 25m out from Manly’s line.

From the ensuing set of six Trent Hodkinson calmly potted a one-pointer that put the Dogs ahead 17-16 before his Sea Eagles counterpart Daly Cherry-Evans returned the favour minutes later to put the game into overtime.

Hodkinson later kicked another field goal in golden point extra-time to secure the 18-17 win and the Dogs a spot in Saturday’s preliminary final against Penrith.

Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey bemoaned his side’s bad luck post-game.

Speaking on Channel Nine’s Footy Show on Sunday former Parramatta great Peter Sterling said the interpretation needed to be examined.

“The (interpretation of the) rule is exactly right but it is probably a rule that needs to be explored, doesn’t it?” he said.

“It is no doubt something that will be looked at.”

Roosters legend Brad Fittler concurred, saying the rule was a hangover from the days when the scrum was a contest for possession.

“Absolutely (it should be looked at),” he said.

“It was a rule that was designed in the old days, one side got the feed, the other side got the loose head so it was fair in the old days but it hasn’t been looked at since.”

Manly assistant coach and rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns also wanted it examined.

“They are quick to jump on other things but this is a rule that should have been looked at in the past,” he said.

However Toovey was just left to rue his bad luck.

“So much for referees not having a direct outcome on the result of the game,” Toovey said.

“Let’s face it, that is what happened.

“It was the last tackle and it hits the ref, they get the feed and they kick the field goal.”

The rule will stay in place for now but it is likely to be raised when the NRL’s competition committee meets after the conclusion of the 2014 season.