Phil Rothfield pays tribute to legendary caller Ray Warren

There will never be another rugby league commentator like Ray Rabbits Warren - Phil Rothfield reveals what made the man behind the microphone so special.

Ray Warren walked into Channel 9 on Wednesday morning to make the biggest call of his career.

He was hanging up the binoculars after 55 years, 99 State of Origin games and a million memorable calls.

When someone mentioned getting out for 99 in cricket was a tragedy, Rabbits quickly put his decision into perspective.

“The war in Ukraine is a tragedy. Kids getting shot in schools in America is a tragedy,” he told the meeting.

Rabbits knows the game will survive without him.

But rugby league will be so much poorer without the presence of the NRL Hall of Famer.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now >

Friday Night NRL Football: commentator Ray Warren

He’ll be remembered alongside Frank Hyde as the greatest commentator of all time.

In his prime he was known for that golden voice, but what also made him special was his accuracy.

He’d often attend the training sessions of both teams he was due to call, to get his head around the players and their quirks.

We used to go on tour together in the late 1970s for the Wednesday night Amco Cup games.

It can be quite daunting when you travel with football teams and don’t really know anyone.

But Rabbits would always make sure everyone was comfortable, despite us working for rival organisations.

Flash forward almost 40 years and Rabbits provided me with one of the highlights of my career when I got to spend a State of Origin day as his shadow in 2016.

We got on the plane to Brisbane at 10am with Rabbits in 1a and me in 1b.

There was a lot of cost-cutting going on at the time, but Rabbits was the only man still allowed to travel business class - even the CEO flew down the back.

Phil Rothfield interviews Ray Warren on the plane from Sydney to Brisbane for State of Origin II. Picture: supplied

But it was no easy ride.

Rabbits suffered from terrible anxiety on planes, and I can still see his white knuckles gripping the sides of the seat.

Then it was off the plane and he was straight back to Rabbits, the rugby league icon, posing for selfies with every fan.

There was one story he wouldn’t let me tell at the time because he didn’t want to get traffic control in strife.

Rabbits had a tradition in which he’d drive up to Suncorp Stadium, dip his headlights, then wait for the barricades to open.

Ray Warren and the $20 binoculars he used throughout his career. Picture. Phil Hillyard

I’m told only three people received that privilege: the premier, prime minister and Ray Warren.

Rabbits used to get physically ill in his younger days when he called the Junee footy, and in his mid-70s he was still nervous before big games.

On that Origin night, he had pre-game warm-up – a cup of tea and some biscuits. Butter Menthols and a bottle of water would also be on hand.

And of course the $20 binoculars that brought a billion-dollar game to households around the country.

“Some poor bastard has obviously done his arse at Rosehill and wandered in to get some money for them,” Rabbits told me. “They wanted $100 but I noticed there was a chip in the glass so I gave them $20 and I’ve called football with them ever since.”

I sat in the back of the broadcast box and marvelled at how this wonderful man didn’t miss a beat.

He knew that I didn’t get on with his closest colleagues, Peter Sterling and Gus Gould.

But not once did it affect our friendship.

Rabbits pulled off the ultimate rugby league miracle – he never fell out with anyone.

While Fox Sports ratings are going through the roof, Channel 9 is on the decline. Matt Thompson will step into the hot seat on Wednesday night for State of Origin I.

He’s a nice caller and will no doubt do a solid job.

But it’s like following Don Bradman into bat.

There will never be another Rabbits.

‘NO ONE TO RIVAL HIM’: HADLEY’S PLAN TO KEEP RABS ON THE MIC

- By David Riccio

Fellow broadcaster and close mate Ray Hadley has revealed how he tried to convince Ray Warren to continue commentating.

Hadley, who has sat next to and in opposing commentary boxes with Warren for the past 40-years, described the 79-year-old as the greatest rugby league caller of all-time.

“There’s no one to rival him,’’ Hadley said.

“He’s the best rugby league caller since electronic media started in the 1920’s and then again when TV started in the 1950’s.

“Not just as a rugby league caller, but as a race caller he was one of the best.

“His swimming calls and everything he’s called, he’s done to perfection.

Hall of Fame commentator Ray Warren has called his final game of rugby league. Picture: AAP Images

“Apart from being a mate, he’s been a part of our lives.

“There are grandchildren hearing him now that their grandparents heard him back in the 1970’s.

“He’s pretty much an institution.’’

Hadley admitted that he tried to sway Warren into staying-on for a few more years.

“I’ve had numerous conversations with him about it (retiring),’’ Hadley said.

“I obviously unsuccessfully asked him to continue because it’s my view he’s calling as well now as he ever has.

“I thought he could do Origins and grand finals, if he managed himself.

RABS CALLS TIME ON LEGENDARY CAREER

“I’m 12 years younger than him and I understand in 12-years I won’t want to call football either.’’

Hadley added that some of his fondest memories of Warren weren’t always his legendary calls, but their travels to stadiums and racetracks across Australia and the world together.

“We’ve been mates for nearly four decades, we’ve been through some very funny times together on both the racetrack, the TAB and the football commentary box and while my football calling is restricted these days just doing Origin and grand finals, it’s not going to be the same without his voice,’’ Hadley said.

“He’s a Hall of Famer and the “Rabbit’s” stories will live on forever.

“We played golf for two decades together every Monday and Friday and while I’ll see him, I’m going to miss him.’’