NRL commentator Ray Warren comes out of retirement to star in a State of Origin episode of Bluey

Two of Australia’s TV icons are set to combine on Tuesday when legendary rugby league commentator Ray Warren appears on the smash hit children’s animation Bluey.

‘Rabbits’ Warren, who has been the voice of footy for more than five decades, retired just prior to State of Origin game one after calling 99 of the blockbuster clashes.

He has been lured out of retirement for a very special reason – starring in an episode of Bluey that will feature the show’s characters watching an Origin game.

An episode of Bluey is set to feature the family watching a State of Origin game

Legendary commentator Ray Warren’s iconic voice will be featured in the episode

The spectacularly popular show about a tireless Blue Heeler dog is watched by millions all over the world and is a clever way of introducing rugby league to a much wider audience.

In the episode, titled ‘The Decider’, Bluey and his family will watch Origin and cheer for different teams, with heartwarming themes of loyalty set to feature strongly throughout.

Ray Warren, pictured with wife Cher, is a member of the NRL’s Hall of Fame

Warren, a member of the NRL Hall of Fame, has done a number of voice recordings for the episode, which will undoubtedly be popular with kids and adults alike. 

Of course, Bluey is not the first cattle dog to be associated with State of Origin.

NSW coach Tommy Raudonikis came up with the famous ‘cattle dog’ call for the Blues, which was a signal for the players to start a brawl

NSW Blues great Tommy Raudonikis pioneered the famous ‘cattle dog call’, which was used as a signal to start one of the biggest brawls the game has ever seen in the a 1997 Origin match.

The current mascot of the Blues is an adorable cattle dog named Bruce Healer, who lives at RuffTrack Farm in Sydney’s north-west, a charity that works with disengaged youth.

Bruce Healer, the NSW Blues mascot, poses with a mock-up of his fellow heeler Bluey

Bruce is the NSW Blues mascot, and is ever-present at training and on game day

Bruce took great delight in destroying a Maroons bear when he was a puppy

Bruce is always front and centre when the Blues are training or playing – and he can even carry the kicking tee out.

It remains to be seen whether Bluey will follow Bruce into supporting the NSW Blues, but for now we’ll just have to enjoy hearing Ray Warren’s voice once again.