NZ Warriors CEO Cameron George | Shaun Johnson's retirement, sell out crowds & more!
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One of the great rugby league men has announced his retirement. Halfback Sean Johnson over at the Warriors calling time on his 14-season career, announcing he'll be pulling the pin and hanging up the boots at the end of the season. Here's what he said during the week.

I just love being able to do this on my own terms. You know, I feel like

In this game, you know, when you've been in it, you know, this long, you can quite easily not control these situations and your departure, you know, can be forced sometimes. So, you know, for me to be able to have complete control over this, knowing that there was something there for me to play on next year, but I've made the decision not to. You know, like, I can take a lot in that. Yeah, Sean Johnson there saying he was happy he could retire on his own terms. The CEO of the Warriors is Cameron George and he's on the line. G'day, Cameron.

Good afternoon, gents. Well, mate, he's been at the top of his game for 14 years, a great career, and I'm sure you'll be putting plenty of things in place to ensure that his career is celebrated once he pulls the pin at the end of the year for the Warriors.

Yeah, that's right. He's been an absolute marvel for the game of rugby league in general, but particularly in New Zealand. He's inspired a lot of young kids to play the game. We're forever grateful for his time spent at the club and we'll celebrate that over the next few weeks for sure. Cameron, I know it's only early and he's only just announced it, but will the club be looking to keep Sean around in some capacity?

Look, he's got so much knowledge. He's a tremendous presenter and he can pass that on to so many players and kids coming through our system. So just let the dust settle on his decision and let him finish off the year. And look, mate, he'll be clearly living in Auckland, so we'd be mad not to see what he wants to do next year and beyond and use his knowledge to pass on to the next generation. Yeah, mate, Cameron, I think he's been one of the most naturally gifted players I've ever seen.

He's certainly had a skill that not many players have had. You know, whether he's produced it all the time or not, that's another question. But I think from a natural perspective, he is right up there with the best players in the game. He is indeed. You know, his idol is Stacey Jones. And, you know, he just brought so much to every game, you know, that he played at Mount Smart in particular. And, you know, whether he put on the Kiwi jumper or not, people wanted to watch him play and were...

And, you know, they just wanted him to have the best game possible because when he was on, he was better than anyone, really. And he was so classy and, you know, he had so much speed. And, you know, towards the back end of the career, he just got so much smarter with the ball in his hand. And we saw that firsthand last year. And, you know, just getting picked for the Dallium just goes to show how much he led our team through the 2023 season. This year he's been a bit checkered with injuries. But, yeah, mate, he's a class act, Sean, when he's playing footy.

Cameron, going back to the team, you've had a tough season for, we don't know why, to be honest. You've got a fantastic team there, but you've sold out every single home game this year. You've got one home game to go. I imagine that'll be a sellout already. Yeah, we announced it actually before, Sean, last year.

announced his retirement that was sold out for the last game against the Bulldogs so look what will happen now is I assume everyone will just be turning up to celebrate his career and yeah it's been a wonderful year off the field in respect to the support but

But as you guys well know, we've got to win and our job's now to try and retain them going forward the next year. But the game's certainly taken off in New Zealand, which is a credit to our fan base and the players and the club in general. So a lot of the staff have worked hard, which is really pleasing. And just finally, Cameron, you talk about your fan base. I saw a little graph during the week. Tickets sold per NRL club fan base for Las Vegas.

Your club's leading the way at 34%. And I think I'm right in saying a Warriors charter flight to Vegas. It's sold out in, what, 17 minutes.

Yeah, that's right, mate. Our fans just follow us everywhere. And even for away games, you know, in Australia, we just have such a loud and proud group of fans that always turn up. And, mate, as I said to the NRL, you put on a boat. I'll get on that as well to get over there. And one charter, you know, I think everyone was, oh, will it or will it not sell? And they're selling 17 minutes, mate. And that's only the people on the charter. There's people going through Hawaii. There's people going through other ways to get there and

And, you know, we'll have a big, big fan base in Las Vegas, which is going to be exciting for the event. It certainly will be. We'll see you over there, Cameron. Thanks for the chat and pass on now. Congratulations to Sean Johnson on a great career. Will do. Thanks, guys. Good on you, mate. Cameron George, the Warriors CEO. And, yeah, that'll be a big celebration for Sean come the last round of the competition.