State of Origin viewers slam Six60 snorefest with random haka

State of Origin fans have criticized the organizers for choosing New Zealand pop band Six60 as pre-game entertainment for Game Three on Wednesday night.

The group took the stage at Sydney’s Olympic Park to belt out their hit Don’t Forget Your Roots, complete with a haka performance.

But many fans were left confused with the choice of line-up, wondering why an Australian band was not the opening act.

“How disappointing that the #NRL couldn’t book an Australian artist to open the third game,” one viewer wrote.

“Something strange is going on at the start of the game. Why the kiwis on stage? Get the tape, but this has nothing to do with NZ,” another commented.

‘Why do we have a NZ Haka ceremony as pre-game before the start???’ wrote another.

“I just wonder why NSW and QLD are playing and we have a New Zealand pop band for entertainment,” added a bemused fourth.

“Why are fans being bombarded with Mauri music and artists when it’s a match between QLD, Australia and NSW, Australia? This would be more suitable for an AUS vs NZ game don’t you think?’ wrote another.

‘I see a Haka instead of a Welcome to Country. Is New South Wales Confused About Who They’re Playing? I like the haka, but this was very random,” said another.

‘Why the Fark do we still have a NZ band doing entertainment. Who the fark thought that was a good idea. Second, when Lara from entertainment bookings suggests that Six60, who the fark says Lara is doing a great job, book them before the Rooty Hill RSL picks them up,” another disgruntled fan wrote.

This has got to be the worst pre-game entertainment of all time. It’s pretty obvious those running the game are out of touch with the rugby league crowd,’ another ranted.

Why is the NRL constantly ruining pre-game entertainment? Terrible things this for an Origin game,” another tweeted.

Meanwhile, other fans wondered if the performance was a harbinger of Origin one day being staged in New Zealand.

“Is this like a handover ceremony for next year’s Origin in Auckland?” wrote one viewer.

“Anyone else think the NRL is trying to tell us they’re moving an Origin match to NZ?” said another, before adding, “After this performance, no surprise.”

“Is this NRL trying to see them selling #StateOfOrigin to go to NZ??? What a snoring fest!!!!’ tweeted another.

Despite the criticism, some viewers were impressed with Six60’s pre-game performance.

“Wow I don’t know who these guys are but they are good,” one viewer tweeted.

‘Do they finally have entertainment that sounds really good live? Wow,” added another.

This comes after Channel Nine decided not to broadcast Shannon Noll’s pre-show entertainment in Origin 2 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in June.

Understandably, fans of Origin and Nollsy had a lot to say about the social media debacle.

“So Nine isn’t airing Shannon Noll’s ‘gig’ because he sang the sponsor’s theme song. That would be a free ad. But ABC sports radio accidentally did it because they were airing pre-match stuff. Funny,” wrote respected music journalist Kathy McCabe.

“They show even less of Shannon’s performance than The Living End, so nothing at all,” wrote another.

‘They didn’t even play a single Shannon Noll song?! I’m smoking. Get in the big, black, shiny car to drive and punch Nollsie in the throat,’ another joked.