NRL 2024: Campaign launched to entice Ray Warren back to State pf Origin | Bulldog’s Bite

Ray Warren retired in 2022 having called 99 Origin games. As a result, there’s been an online push for ‘Rabs’ to return for one last game to bring up the century, writes DEAN RITCHIE.

Brad Arthur. Picture: NRL Imagery

There is an online push for legendary commentator Ray ‘Rabbits’ Warren to return and call one last State of Origin game – taking his tally to 100.

Warren retired in June 2022 having called 99 Origin games.

While unlikely to happen, Warrens’ son, Mark, cheekily posted on X: “Inundated over the last two weeks regarding social media and ‘Rabs’ doing another SOO to knock up 100.

“Zero idea where it came from and totally false although haven’t completely given up on a plan.

“But it would take people like Phil Gould and great friend Kenny Callander to help! #Rabs #SOO #100.”

Does Ray Warren have one more Origin in him? Picture: James Gourley/Getty Images

PARRA’S INSULTING TREATMENT OF ARTHUR

Parramatta has handled the entire Brad Arthur affair appallingly.

The Eels board treated a loyal, decade-long coach with disrespect and disdain, while acting with deception and deceit.

Parramatta insulted Arthur by deciding to effectively dump him on May 1, but retaining him as head coach for another three weeks, all while chasing another coach.

It’s like telling your partner you love them while having an affair.

This was clandestine and secretive, even to the point where Parramatta officials were trying to hide from the media when sharingthe same flight to Brisbane to meet with Wayne Bennett.

It’s like something out of a C-grade comedy. Were they wearing fake nose glasses?

And the club’s mooted $750,000 payout to Arthur continues an expensive trend in rugby league, where boards are signing coachesto long-term deals and then shelling out millions of dollars in payouts.

Brad Arthur in his last post-match press conference as Parramatta Eels head coach. Picture: NRL Photos

Poor Arthur kept telling the media during this period that the club was fully supporting him. They weren’t – it was cruel.

Little did Arthur know as he sat there that Parramatta had already made their decision and were pursuing Bennett.

Could you imagine how embarrassed and silly Arthur must have felt when discovering the club had been covertly seeking a replacementfor the final three weeks of his tenure?

Obviously unaware he was dead-man-walking, Arthur faithfully coached while believing the club had his back.

Arthur didn’t deserve that after 264 games in charge and a winning success rate of 52 per cent.

Parramatta always claimed they would respect Arthur due to his longevity and respect at the club, yet for three weeks the club was being insincere.

Brad Arthur thought he had the support of the club despite a tough 2024. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Maybe Arthur was naive.

And why push Arthur now and elevate Trent Barrett? I’m not sure how interim coach Barrett is going to turn things around.

If you’re only going to promote your assistant, why not retain the head coach on until the end of the season?

Parramatta fans are also entitled to question why their passive board was so sluggish in pursuing Bennett? I reckon Parramatta missed out on a chance to sign Bennett by just a fortnight.

The Eels knew Bennett was available and that Souths were hunting him. Rather than act swiftly, they waited and watched as Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly ruthlessly swooped.

Arthur’s fate was probably sealed after Parramatta’s 44-16 loss to the Dolphins in Darwin last month. It was a second-half capitulation where the Dolphins scored 40 points in 40 minutes.

Parramatta made the right call to end Arthur’s tenure. He wasn’t the man to drag Parramatta from the mire, given the Eelshave won five of their last 16 games.

But the club could have acted more with honour and transparency throughout the entire messy process. It’s now buyer beware in rugby league.

Too many clubs are paying out too much money far too often for axed coaches on long-term deals.

The NRL pays each club an annual grant of $17.8m.

I’m certain that the governing body isn’t thrilled to see large chunks of their cash being paid to unwanted coaches.

The list of coaching payouts is growing in length and cost.

It’s money that I’m sure could be spent more wisely in more needy areas of our game.

DOG TREATS

Parramatta winger Maiko Sivo is being shopped around to Super League, according to Britain’s media.

One press article stated Sivo has been “made available” to English clubs.

That may now change given Parramatta will have a new head coach from 2025.

Sivo is under contract at Parramatta until the end of 2027.

Maika Sivo could be set to play abroad. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

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Sky Sport in New Zealand have revealed some amazing broadcast figures for rugby league.

Ratings for NRL games over the opening ten rounds have surged 14 per cent compared to 2023.

Around 1.59 million New Zealanders watched NRL matches over the opening ten rounds with 1.67 million people watching the first ten games of Super Rugby Pacific.

The NRL is coming hard at rugby union in New Zealand.

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Cronulla has lost just one game this season and are surging out-in-front on the NRL competition ladder.

But punters aren’t buying into the Sharks’ success with TAB reporting just three per cent of the total money held on the premiership has been wagered on Cronulla.

“Nobody wants to be on them,” said TAB’s Gerard Daffy.

Punters aren’t loading up on the Sharks just yet. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

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What about the awkward on-air moment last weekend when a Channel 10 news reporter interviewed a Warriors fan during a live cross at Magic Round?

There were blank looks all-round when the fan, obviously trying to be cheeky, answered the reporter’s question in full Maori.

The interview lasted one question before the rattled reporter flashed to another fan who responded in English.

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Dragons forward Jack de Belin remains uncontracted for next season.

De Belin, 32, has been among the NRL’s best forwards over the past month and is weighing up strong interest from Super League.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Campaign launched to entice Ray Warren back to State pf Origin | Bulldog’s Bite