Channel Nine’s pre-game State of Origin coverage raises eyebrows for all the wrong reasons – as network shamelessly spruiks sporting event

Channel Nine’s pre-game Origin coverage from Melbourne has come under fire after the free to air network shamelessly used the opportunity to promote the Paris Olympics next month.

Aussie basketball great Lauren Jackson bizarrely appeared on TV screens across the nation talking up the Games ahead of rugby league’s jewel in the crown.

The Opals star then declared: ‘I never thought I would be here talking to you on a night like this’ – and Jackson won’t find any arguments from Australian sporting public, who were bemused as one. 

Then comedian Andy Lee performed the opening piece to camera – despite being from Victoria and a noted Carlton Blues AFL fan.

It also wouldn’t be Origin if Nine didn’t produce a clanger for the ages.

And true to form, Angus Crichton’s junior rugby union club, the Young Yabbies – as opposed to his junior league team, the Young Cherrypickers – flashed up when introducing the players from the NSW Blues team.

Thankfully when it came to the performing of the national anthem, 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright was nowhere to be seen.

In the series opener on June 5 in Sydney, Wright was savaged by footy fans after he delivered a stripped-down, guitar-based rendition of Advance Australia Fair to a packed house at Accor Stadium.

Aussie basketball great Lauren Jackson bizarrely appeared on TV screens across the nation talking up the Olympics in July ahead of rugby league’s jewel in the crown

Liam Martin of the Blues (right) celebrates with Stephen Crichton after scoring the first try in game two at the MCG

Queensland’s players were stunned after NSW skipped out to a commanding 28-0 lead in the first half 

Wright’s low-tempo performance was labelled ‘diabolical’ and ‘hipster’ by enraged supporters on social media.

NRL officials clearly read the room, with Sheridan Adams’ rendition of the national anthem impressive from start to finish.

The Welcome to Country from Aunty Joy Murphy attracted some criticism on social media – mainly for what was smeared on her face.

One viewer posted: ‘It looks like she’s gone face first into a pile of snow.’

On the field, NSW skipped out to a commanding 34-0 half time lead thanks to tries from Liam Martin, Zac Lomax and Brian To’o as they looked to square the series.