Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
FIFA World Cup 2026 poster'A lot of footy': Ray Warren reflects on rugby league’s evolution and Origin passion
Sport Nation • May 26th, 2026 11:53 am
Ray Warren | Photo: Photosport
Retired from the microphone but never far from the game, rugby league broadcasting icon Ray Warren still spends plenty of time watching the sport he helped soundtrack for generations.
“A lot of footy,” Warren laughed when asked by Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy how retirement was treating him.
“I’m having a bit of trouble understanding some of the set restarts and the six agains and all that thing, but I’m watching it and I’m enjoying it. It’s almost a brand new game, isn’t it?”
For a man who witnessed rugby league evolve across decades, Warren sees the modern game as the natural next chapter.
“I’d be contradictory to things I’ve said in the past if I didn’t say I like it because I come from the dinosaur age where it was bash and barge. Then they went to four tackles, then they went to six tackles and then it became more athletic and acrobatic and I loved all that sort of stuff.
"So this is the next step up, what we’re watching now.”
With State of Origin around the corner, Warren’s connection to rugby league’s biggest stage remains as strong as ever. The legendary commentator called 99 Origin matches, leaving many wondering why he stopped short of the century.
“I didn’t want to keep somebody else out of the saddle waiting for that one Origin match to retire,” Warren said.
“And then I was going to have trouble getting through it emotionally as well if I’d made it public before I did (the 100th game).”
Even in retirement, Origin still holds a special place for the man who called some of the series’ greatest moments.
“We are talking about the absolute crème de la crème of the players out there on Wednesday night.”
As for who holds the edge heading into the opener, Warren admits the modern game has made Origin harder than ever to predict.
“I don’t know to tell the truth. I’ve got absolutely no idea with the way the game is being played today.”
What hasn’t changed, however, is Queensland’s emotional connection to the contest, something Warren believes is impossible to understand without knowing the history behind the rivalry.
“Once upon a time, New South Wales played Queensland in interstate football and it came at a time when the leagues clubs over here were massive,” he explained.
“They were buying up Queensland players and they were made to play for New South Wales. So it was lopsided. It was doing harm to the game, really.
“So that largely is why people probably think Queensland are motivated by the beltings they used to take while New South Wales was using Queenslanders in their team.
“Until you understand that, you probably don’t understand why people say Queensland wanted it more. Their motivation is not hard to find if you’ve listened to what I just said.”
From his thoughts on Origin’s trip to New Zealand to his favourite player he ever called and concerns around the future of the game’s big men, Warren’s passion for rugby league remains as strong as ever, even without the headset.
Listen to the full interview below:
