Latest news with #RayWarren
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
NRL icon Ray Warren admits to struggles with retirement: ‘Like cutting off my left arm'
Rugby league commentary icon Ray Warren has revealed he is still coming to terms with retirement after four years out of the game. The 82-year-old, widely regarded as the voice of the sport in Australia, called time on his 55-year career in 2021 after 99 State of Origins and 45 NRL grand finals. Since his departure, Warren has resisted several calls to come out of retirement, including a big push to have him come back for a one-off Origin match last year. Despite that, the man known as 'Rabs' said on Monday he is yet to find peace with being on the sidelines. 'I'm not handling that (retirement) all that well to be honest with you, because leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my left arm,' he told 2GB. 'It was a playground; I don't think I ever went to work. I went to play, but I don't think I ever got Mondayitis. 'But it's gone now. I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go anyway.' Warren says people do still come up to him in the street to tell him they miss his voice, and that he has toyed with the idea of a return if he were able to call from home. 'Oh yeah, and it's flattering and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away, and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' he said. 'That's the long and the short of it. But now I sit down in the lounge room and think I might be able to do a call from home. 'But it was a fabulous time in life for me — it went 55 years! It was a great five and a half decades.' Games being called remotely has become more prominent with some broadcasters since the COVID-19 pandemic, given its necessity at that time. Seven remains in-stadium, though, for every game it covers across all flagship sports. Asked how his health was generally, Warren said: 'I've been OK, I mean, if I start telling you of the illnesses I've got, we'd be here for a couple of days. But no, I'm going OK.'
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
NRL news, updates: Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement as he slightly opens door ajar to return under one condition
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Rugby league icon Ray Warren has revealed he is not handling retirement well and has thought about coming out of retirement if he could call from his own loungeroom. Warren, 82, retired in 2021 after calling 99 State of Origin games and 45 NRL Grand Finals and resisted calls for him to come out of retirement to call one final Origin game last year. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Known as the 'voice of rugby league', Warren's retirement in 2021 saddened the sporting world, namely fans of rugby league, and ever since there have been murmurs he could be convinced to make a return calling major events such as the NRL Grand Final or State of Origin. And on Monday, in a stunning revelation Warren said he had given it some thought as he opened up about why he decided to retire in the first place. 'I am not handling it (my retirement) all that well to be honest,' Warren told 2GB's Mark Levy. You can listen to Ray Warren open up about his retirement in the player above. Ray Warren says retiring felt like cutting off his arm. Image: Getty 'Leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my arm. (But) I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go.' Warren also floated the idea that he could call a game from home, but fears it may tarnish his legacy. 'It is flattering (that people want him to come out of retirement) and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' Warren said. 'That's the long and the short of it (why he retired). But now I sit down and think I might be able to do a call from home.' Thurston wins first Golden Point Grand Final Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 44.36% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:22 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Thurston wins first Golden Point Grand Final more field... more goal as the Cowboys won their first NRL title. Johnathon Thurston kicked the winning... ... more Games being called from TV or radio studios thousands of kilometres away from the venue has been something that has become increasingly popular in mainstream media since Covid. For many games in various sports, commentators no longer call from the grounds, instead preferring offices where they can access more angles. So if Warren was open to returning, it would be possible for him to finally call his 100th State of Origin game or make a special appearance from the comfort of his own home. It would also be something that would undoubtedly attract even more viewers, with the commentating legend adored by the rugby league world. Ray Warren is a rugby league icon. Picture. Phil Hillyard Ray Warren in his element. Picture. Phil Hillyard Is it likely that Ray Warren comes out of retirement? The chances of it happening are slim. When Warren was cornered about potentially calling an Origin match in 2024, he promptly shut it down. 'I'd rule that out (a commentary return) almost without any thought at all,' Warren said on Triple M. 'I had a great career – 55 years. At the end of 2021, I decided that that would do me, why would I take that risk of undoing whatever good I might have done.' But never say never, NRL fans can at least dare to dream. Originally published as 'Not handling it well': Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy's greatest ever commentator opens up about his struggles in retirement - and gives a glimmer of hope to fans who are desperate to see him return to TV
Revered commentator Ray 'Rabbits' Warren has opened up about his life since retirement, revealing the struggles that have made him realise stepping away from the microphone is easier said than done. Known as 'The Voice of Rugby League', Warren's last match as a commentator was the 2021 NRL grand final between Penrith and Souths. Warren retired in 2022, ending a career in commentary that lasted 55 years. The veteran broadcaster now says that he has struggled to make the adjustment to life outside the commentary box. 'I'm not handling that (retirement) all that well, to be honest', he told radio 2GB. 'Leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my arm. It was a playground. I don't think I ever went to work. 'I went to play, but I don't think I ever got Mondayitis, but it's gone now. 'I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go anyway.' From a young age, Warren was passionate about commentating, even practising by calling marble races by himself. He began his professional career at 23 in regional NSW before moving to Sydney in 1969 and starting in television in 1974. Throughout his career, he worked for 2LF in Young, 2GB radio, Network 10, and Nine's Wide World of Sports. Warren said he's flattered when people tell him how important his work has been over the years - and also offered a glimmer of hope to those who want him to continue commentating. 'I don't think they realise I was 78 when I gave it away and I didn't want to undo what good I might have done, that's the long and the short of it,' he said. 'But now I sit down in the lounge room and think I might be able to do a call from home. 'It was a fabulous time in life for me, it went 55 years.' In 2019, Warren was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame for his ongoing service to the sport. Last year, he hosed down speculation he could come out of retirement to call what would have been his 100th State of Origin game. Warren also covered swimming, tennis and horse racing in his decorated career, winning legions of sports fans along the way.
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Not handling it well': Rugby league icon Ray Warren's sad revelation about retirement
Rugby league icon Ray Warren has revealed he is not handling retirement well and has thought about coming out of retirement if he could call from his own loungeroom. Warren, 82, retired in 2021 after calling 99 State of Origin games and 45 NRL Grand Finals and resisted calls for him to come out of retirement to call one final Origin game last year. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Known as the 'voice of rugby league', Warren's retirement in 2021 saddened the sporting world, namely fans of rugby league, and ever since there have been murmurs he could be convinced to make a return calling major events such as the NRL Grand Final or State of Origin. And on Monday, in a stunning revelation Warren said he had given it some thought as he opened up about why he decided to retire in the first place. 'I am not handling it (my retirement) all that well to be honest,' Warren told 2GB's Mark Levy. You can listen to Ray Warren open up about his retirement in the player above. 'Leaving what I was doing was like cutting off my arm. (But) I was 78 when I gave it away, so I didn't have much longer to go.' Warren also floated the idea that he could call a game from home, but fears it may tarnish his legacy. 'It is flattering (that people want him to come out of retirement) and I guess I love it deep down, but I don't think they realised I was 78 when I gave it away and I didn't want to undo all the good I might have done,' Warren said. 'That's the long and the short of it (why he retired). But now I sit down and think I might be able to do a call from home.' Games being called from TV or radio studios thousands of kilometres away from the venue has been something that has become increasingly popular in mainstream media since Covid. For many games in various sports, commentators no longer call from the grounds, instead preferring offices where they can access more angles. So if Warren was open to returning, it would be possible for him to finally call his 100th State of Origin game or make a special appearance from the comfort of his own home. It would also be something that would undoubtedly attract even more viewers, with the commentating legend adored by the rugby league world. Is it likely that Ray Warren comes out of retirement? The chances of it happening are slim. When Warren was cornered about potentially calling an Origin match in 2024, he promptly shut it down. 'I'd rule that out (a commentary return) almost without any thought at all,' Warren said on Triple M. 'I had a great career – 55 years. At the end of 2021, I decided that that would do me, why would I take that risk of undoing whatever good I might have done.' But never say never, NRL fans can at least dare to dream.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'It's painful': NRL fans say same thing as Ray Warren detail laid bare during Origin
The quality of the Channel 9 commentary team has once again come under fire during State of Origin 1 on Wednesday night, and fans couldn't help but feel it's never been the same since Ray Warren retired. For many NRL fans, State of Origin and the grand final are the only times throughout the season that they watch Channel 9 as opposed to Fox League. Many would prefer to pay up and hear the Fox League commentary crew during games, but State of Origin and the grand final are exclusively on Channel 9. For those who only watch Nine four times a year, it can be a rather grating experience. Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith usually come in for plenty of criticism, and don't typically try to hide their bias towards NSW and Queensland respectively. On Wednesday night it was no different, with many expressing some brutal opinions about the NRL legends on social media. There was an awkward moment during the game when lead caller Mat Thompson used the word "superfluous", and Johns didn't appear to know what it meant. 'Err, excuse me? A what?" he replied. As for Thompson, the play-by-play caller has done a commendable job since the retirement of legendary predecessor Warren. But the general consensus is Channel 9 have never been able to fill the void left by the great man. Journalist Peter Lang wrote on social media on Wednesday night: "I don't want to be overly critical of Channel 9's State of Origin commentator Mat Thompson last night…but geeze I miss 'Rabs'. Ray Warren was Origin." However a fan responded: "Be over critical. It's diabolical. Fox Sports need to have the rights. 9 is beyond bad in all aspects." Another wrote: "I thought Matt Thompson was alright. He needs someone in there with him with a bit of energy. Andrew Johns ain't that person." Another commented: "I watched the game mostly on mute, it's painful…" While a fourth wrote: "It was awful. I have my whinges about Foxtel, but sweet jesus, they are miles ahead of 9." I watched the game mostly on mute it's painful… — Dennis Feher (@DrDennisFeher) May 29, 2025 They need to let Fox get rights to showing it live. I watched their coverage for a bit after the game and oh my the quality difference is crazy. — Oliver (@OliverMulqueen3) May 28, 2025 @NRL You really need to allow @FOXNRL to broadcast the SOO, WSOO & GF at the same time channel 9 does.@NRLonNine are killing the NRL. Tonight's SOO was like watching it in a Library!! The commentary lacklustre and no passion whatsoever!Bring on @FOXNRL please!!!!Please — MARBROLAY (@marbrolay) May 28, 2025 The commentary is as bad as the game. I miss Ray Warren. #StateofOrigin — BMC (@BrianMichaelC) May 28, 2025 I get he's passionate, but Joey's bias is insufferable. — Stephen 😁 (@SJOBrien8906) May 28, 2025 Cameron Smith is certainly not impartial — 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) May 28, 2025 On Wednesday night, many accused Smith of being too biased towards Queensland, particularly in regard to the controversial sin-binning of Brian To'o for a mid-air challenge on Xavier Coates that officials ruled was a professional foul. And Johns also copped backlash for a bizarre theory he floated about the balls being used. After Nathan Cleary missed three conversion attempts in a row, Zac Lomax replaced him but also shanked one from close range. Johns said he thought the ball sounded different when being kicked, and suggested it might have had something to do with the sponsorship logos on it. 'Even the sound of the ball when they were kicking it just sounded different," the NRL Immortal said. 'Mitchell Moses kicked one in the in-goal, he never gets that wrong. Sometimes they are a little bit fatter, maybe the graphics on the ball whether that changes it. Zac Lomax, he missed it by a mile.' RELATED: Craig Bellamy's Origin move that could come back to haunt Storm coach Trainer at centre of Origin incident unmasked as NRL great's brother Johns even put his theory to Nathan Cleary after the game. But Cleary said: 'The last one I kicked it was definitely just an F-up. But I don't know, I think I'll reflect on that and I think there was just a bit going on in my brain. 'I had so many things I wanted to do. But I've thought about being back in this arena so often and so many things I wanted to do. Sometimes you just need to calm down a bit and just go through the processes.'
