Tobirama was on his ass because he got defeated. He used the rods because edos can't die.The difference between Edo and Alive is the difference between Edo Madara struggling around and Blind Eyeless Madara dominating. Tobirama was in his Edo state but despite that, still dodged Madara's physical attacks. Also, since we didn't see how Tobirama was defeated but since Madara used the rods, he didn't just use taijutsu, he used Outer Path.
It wouldn't be a far stretch to imagine Madara used Limbo, since Madara wasn't quick enough to catch him in the panels we did see.