RAY ‘Rabbits’ Warren has managed to pinpoint his favourite moments from his 30 years calling State of Origin footy.

It wasn’t Alfie Langer’s fly in-fly out series-winning performance in 2001, it wasn’t The King’s try in 1989, nor was it the eighth Immortal’s clinic in 2005.

Out of the 87 clashes between the Blues and Maroons he has covered, two tries stand out above all.

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These are the two magical moments that Rabs puts on a pedestal.

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Mark Coyne ‘miracle’

Mark Coyne is on the end of one of the game’s greatest ever tries. Neg: 35/P/10387/5. Source: News Corp Australia

Warren’s call of the Maroons’ freakish team try to win Game One of the 1994 series is part of rugby league folklore:

“Trailing 12-10, Langer pushing it wide. Walters onward. Carne joins in. Floats the pass for Renouf. Renouf down the touchline. Beats one, gets it infield. Hancock gets it on. Queensland are coming back. Darren Smith for Langer. Langer gets it away. Here’s the Big Fella (Meninga). Gets the pass on. Coyne. Coyne. Goes for the corner … That’s not a try. That’s a miracle.”

Speaking on Sunday Night With Matty Johns, Warren reveals he had to shelve his use of “miracle” after that spine-tingling piece of commentary.

“Good story surrounding that,” he told Johns. “Mark Coyne and Phil Gould are very close friends and Mark loves every time we replay that try as you would.

“And about two years ago I again used the word miracle to describe a try and a text came through from Mark Coyne to Phil Gould in the box next to me saying tell Rabbits not to call any other try a miracle … that’s the only miracle,” he laughed.

Slater’s pure instinct

Billy Slater came of age in the 2004 Origin series. Pics Michael/Ross Source: News Corp Australia

It was Game Two of the 2004 series, and Billy Slater was representing the Maroons for just the second time.

From the wing he followed through a Darren Lockyer grubber on their own 40 metre line. He picked it up, veered right as he got to Anthony Minichiello in the back field, holding the ball in one hand, he chipped over the fullback and won the race to the ball.

“Darren Lockyer he kicks, Slater has picked it up, was he onside? Slater down the ground he kicks again he’ll get there he’s over … it’s one of the great Origin tries.

Slater, who’s played in 11 series, is embarking on his final Origin campaign this year, and Warren was lavish in his praise for the Queensland custodian.

“[Slater is a] Great player. I think he’s the best fullback I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“This is a very emotional year for him I would imagine [being] his last series.

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