Is there a man alive who’s watched more rugby than Gordon Bray? An alumnus of Homebush Boys High in Sydney’s west, a young Bray proved a handy halfback, representing NSW Combined High Schools before entering the grade scene at Eastern Suburbs. But it’s as a commentator that he’s left his deepest mark on the game. He called his first rugby match for ABC back in 1969 and spent a further 25 years in Aunty’s bunkers before notching a 16-year stint in the Channel Seven commentary box. It was a four-decade haul that saw him cover over 400 rugby Tests, his polished tones becoming as much a part of the game’s furniture as Campo’s goose-step and the All Black haka.

When Seven lost the rugby contract at the end of 2010, Bray’s time in the game looked to have finished. He turned his attention to the Sydney to Hobart telecast before heading north to call the London Olympics for 2GB. But it was unlikely rugby would let him go that easily and, earlier this year when he was on a cruise with his wife Cathy, he received an email asking if he’d be interested in heading Ten’s brand-new rugby broadcast alongside Matthew Burke and Stirling Mortlock. “I couldn’t get the reply back fast enough!” he laughs.

It’s only fitting that the man universally known as “the voice of rugby” is again back on our screens calling the 15-man game. And gee it’s good to have him back. A true rugby gentleman and a veritable sporting scholar, IS sat him down for a yarn.

With 45 years’ experience, how do you prepare for an evening in the commentary box?

I think research and homework are a huge part of being a good commentator – that’s always been my attitude. I put a lot of preparation in and I try to immerse myself in whatever commentary challenge I’m involved with. For the Lions series, I was preparing myself a few months out, doing as much reading as possible, picking up little titbits on players. I’ve always kept newspaper clippings and I love going back over my old scrapbooks. Even as a boy I kept scrapbooks of clippings – I was that kind of fanatic. So I went back to my Lions ’89 scrapbook, reading about the Battle of Ballymore and Campo’s horror in the third Test ... I also have my bio sheets – huge sheets of paper covered in all kinds of ink to highlight different points about players. All of that stuff is mainly in my head – I seldom use it during a game – but I like to have it there in case I need it. It’s all about preparation and being totally immersed in what you’re doing.