The Australian National Rugby League has issued a pointed remark toward Tones and I after she withdrew from performing at the Grand Final.
The Dance Monkey singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, pulled out as the headline act for the pre-match entertainment mere days before the final, a marquee event in the nation’s sporting calendar.
While she cited “prior commitments” as the reason for stepping back, reports suggest her hesitation to perform her biggest hit, Dance Monkey, prompted the NRL to cancel her slot.
Before a sell-out crowd in Sydney on Sunday, Francis Manuleleua crossed for the Knights’ opening try against the Roosters, as Dance Monkey echoed around the stadium.
Rugby fans took to X to comment on the song choice, with one post noting, “Dance Monkey after the first try—the level of pettiness is iconic, lol.”
Tones and I has previously stated that she dislikes the track.
“I don’t want to chase that song. I loathe that song a lot of the time. A lot of times I don’t want to sing it,” the Australian singer told radio station Nova about her US top-five hit.
The artist made headlines in 2024 when Dance Monkey surpassed three billion streams on Spotify, making her the first female performer to reach the milestone.
After negotiations between Tones and I and the NRL broke down, Peter V’landys, chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, said the AU$1 million (£530,000) entertainment budget would instead be redirected toward grassroots rugby programs.
A pared-back entertainment package included appearances by Amy Shark, Dave Gleeson of The Screaming Jets, and Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson.
