It's not what's pushing the rod that's the problem. What is the rod pushing on inside the clutch. It looks like it should be pulling the pressure plate up compressing the springs, but apparently it's pushing on something else.
Anyway that's what it does on the Triumph.
I'm sure someday I'll get to look at one, but I don't think I'll tear mine apart to check it, it's really not that big a deal. Just curious.
Bare