Legendary commentator Ray Warren has opened up on whether he could be tempted back into the commentary box to cover what would be his 100th State of Origin match this year.
Warren retired in 2021, bringing the curtain down on a career which saw him affectionately dubbed as the 'Voice of Rugby League'.
But there had been much speculation about whether or not 'Rabs' would come back for one last appearance, something NRL fans would no doubt be excited for.
Will Ray Warren come out of retirement to commentate on 100th State of Origin game?
Warren has shut down any talks of him coming out of retirement, telling Triple M Gold's 'Flan, Ali & Spida' that the idea of his return is "absolute scuttlebutt."
"I never ever said that I would agree to do another game of Origin, and somebody took the liberty via social media to absolutely misquoting me and it’s made things a bit uncomfortable for me," Warren said.
"I get very aggravated by people that write absolute crap.
"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?
"I got out while I was going reasonably well."
MORE: 2024 NRL live ladder | Every NRL club's updated injury list | Every NRL fixture and result for each club
Previously, the veteran caller had opened up on a potential return in order to reach the 100-game milestone.
"Don’t get me wrong, no one has tempted me really," Warren told SENQ’s Pure Origin in late April.
"Funnily enough, I think I’d get through an Origin no problem.
"It’s one of the easier games to call because everyone knows the players so well."
Billy Slater will attempt to steer the Queensland Maroons to a third-straight series victory this year when they take on Michal Maguire’s New South Wales.
MORE: Bolters who may play for the NSW Blues in this year's series
The Blues parted ways with Brad Fittler following successive series losses and will be desperate to halt Slater’s winning streak.
When is State of Origin 2024?
The opening Origin match of the 2024 series will be held on Wednesday, June 5 at Accor Stadium in what will be Maguire's first game in charge of the Blues.
This will be followed by rugby league's showpiece event returning to Melbourne for the first time in six years, when the two rivals clash at the MCG on Wednesday, June 26.
The third and final instalment of the series will then head to Queensland where the Maroons will host their opponent at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, July 17.