1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,827 Speaker 2: A very special studio guest. A great pleasure to welcome 4 00:00:15,827 --> 00:00:18,947 Speaker 2: into the ZEDB studio the CEO of the One New 5 00:00:19,027 --> 00:00:22,467 Speaker 2: Zealand Warriors, Cameron George. He'll take your questions on eight 6 00:00:22,587 --> 00:00:24,427 Speaker 2: hundred and eighty ten eighty or text them through to 7 00:00:24,507 --> 00:00:26,787 Speaker 2: nine two ninety two. I've got a bunch here to 8 00:00:26,907 --> 00:00:30,227 Speaker 2: ask him. I know you will have as well, Cam George, 9 00:00:30,267 --> 00:00:31,947 Speaker 2: Welcome in to z B. Mate, great to see you. 10 00:00:32,107 --> 00:00:36,387 Speaker 3: Danise, Jason, It's great to be here, mate, Really grateful 11 00:00:36,387 --> 00:00:39,387 Speaker 3: for your support and everyone else's support and yeah, just 12 00:00:40,227 --> 00:00:41,667 Speaker 3: it's nice to come and have a chat to you 13 00:00:41,747 --> 00:00:44,907 Speaker 3: and the and the fans and yeah, looking forward to. 14 00:00:44,907 --> 00:00:46,787 Speaker 2: It all right. Well, like I say, I've got a 15 00:00:46,827 --> 00:00:49,067 Speaker 2: few things to cover off, I want to actually just 16 00:00:49,187 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 2: jump straight in with the big news last week, the 17 00:00:51,547 --> 00:00:55,187 Speaker 2: signing of James Fisher Harris to the one New Zealand Warriors. 18 00:00:55,227 --> 00:00:57,067 Speaker 2: Can you take us through I think it was a 19 00:00:57,067 --> 00:00:59,827 Speaker 2: week ago. Wasn't it last Sunday night that this kind 20 00:00:59,827 --> 00:01:02,347 Speaker 2: of happened or the start of it happened. Can you 21 00:01:02,387 --> 00:01:03,507 Speaker 2: take us through what happened? 22 00:01:04,227 --> 00:01:07,467 Speaker 3: Yeah. Look, there's there's a number of you know, things 23 00:01:07,467 --> 00:01:11,067 Speaker 3: that happen very very quickly. But the reality is Sunday afternoon, Yeah, 24 00:01:11,067 --> 00:01:16,027 Speaker 3: I've got a phone call. Would we consider James Fisher Harris? 25 00:01:17,347 --> 00:01:20,347 Speaker 3: And when you get offered players or you start to 26 00:01:20,387 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 3: talk to players, there's a number of things that usually happen. 27 00:01:23,147 --> 00:01:27,147 Speaker 3: And for us, probably our biggest challenge is getting players 28 00:01:27,187 --> 00:01:30,507 Speaker 3: to move to New Zealand for various reasons, but none 29 00:01:30,547 --> 00:01:33,267 Speaker 3: greater than leaving family and leaving friends and that support 30 00:01:33,307 --> 00:01:35,707 Speaker 3: that they have and so on. And so normally we 31 00:01:35,707 --> 00:01:37,827 Speaker 3: would go through a process flying the player and his 32 00:01:37,867 --> 00:01:41,067 Speaker 3: wife or whoever over, have a weekend here, hope and 33 00:01:41,107 --> 00:01:44,227 Speaker 3: pray it doesn't rain, you know, have some lunch of them, 34 00:01:44,347 --> 00:01:47,587 Speaker 3: or web his case, dinner in the middle of the viducts. 35 00:01:47,587 --> 00:01:49,747 Speaker 3: Everyone can see it when he took kirk Kate well out. 36 00:01:50,707 --> 00:01:53,227 Speaker 3: But normally we try and do it discreetly and privately. 37 00:01:53,587 --> 00:01:55,347 Speaker 3: It's really important to us that we do do that. 38 00:01:55,387 --> 00:01:56,987 Speaker 3: And then they go home and they think about it, 39 00:01:57,027 --> 00:01:59,427 Speaker 3: and they talk to their family, talk to their friends, 40 00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:01,467 Speaker 3: and then they get all confused and rings about two 41 00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:03,267 Speaker 3: weeks later and say, look, we just can't make the move. 42 00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:05,907 Speaker 3: So you know we're no further down the track. But 43 00:02:06,587 --> 00:02:09,067 Speaker 3: this instance, he's a player that's born and bred in 44 00:02:09,107 --> 00:02:12,707 Speaker 3: New Zealand, very proud Kiwi leads our national team, has 45 00:02:12,747 --> 00:02:16,627 Speaker 3: been in Sydney since he was fifteen and wants to 46 00:02:16,627 --> 00:02:20,547 Speaker 3: come home. So your first big question was answered. Our 47 00:02:20,587 --> 00:02:25,547 Speaker 3: first big challenge wasn't there. So when you have a 48 00:02:25,587 --> 00:02:28,747 Speaker 3: player wanting to do the opposite and come home, and 49 00:02:28,787 --> 00:02:32,827 Speaker 3: when we're looking for a replacement of big Adam vanoa Blake, 50 00:02:34,867 --> 00:02:37,667 Speaker 3: when you've got a coach that's coached him before, and 51 00:02:37,707 --> 00:02:40,187 Speaker 3: when you've got the Keywi coach that's coached him and 52 00:02:40,307 --> 00:02:42,107 Speaker 3: will continue to coach him in the Kiwi team, the 53 00:02:42,147 --> 00:02:47,827 Speaker 3: discussion was very easy, respectfully, Panthers considered it, gave his 54 00:02:47,947 --> 00:02:51,707 Speaker 3: permission to talk to him on Monday morning and from 55 00:02:51,747 --> 00:02:55,027 Speaker 3: that point it just escalated to where we agreed to 56 00:02:55,147 --> 00:02:57,587 Speaker 3: terms on Tuesday afternoon. I was on a plane Wednesday 57 00:02:57,587 --> 00:03:03,307 Speaker 3: morning into Sydney Andrew Faddna and I met with James 58 00:03:03,347 --> 00:03:08,227 Speaker 3: and his lovely wife Nat and he's manager and I 59 00:03:08,227 --> 00:03:10,147 Speaker 3: was on a plane back Wednesday night with the sign 60 00:03:10,187 --> 00:03:13,907 Speaker 3: contract and they're all exploded. As I was getting to 61 00:03:13,987 --> 00:03:16,187 Speaker 3: the airport and getting on a plane, so I sort 62 00:03:16,187 --> 00:03:19,947 Speaker 3: of missed everything. I think I had eighty seven messages 63 00:03:20,227 --> 00:03:25,507 Speaker 3: and about forty five or forty odd voice messages are 64 00:03:25,547 --> 00:03:26,987 Speaker 3: ring pressed back and all that sort of thing when 65 00:03:26,987 --> 00:03:29,947 Speaker 3: I got off at midnight. But it was fast, it 66 00:03:30,027 --> 00:03:34,027 Speaker 3: was respectful, it was professional, and it was what everyone wanted. 67 00:03:34,067 --> 00:03:35,987 Speaker 3: So that's what made the difference with this one. 68 00:03:36,227 --> 00:03:39,947 Speaker 2: Could you ever have imagined that a player of that caliber, 69 00:03:39,987 --> 00:03:42,907 Speaker 2: the kiwis kept and one of the best props in 70 00:03:42,947 --> 00:03:45,667 Speaker 2: the game, would pick up a phone and call the 71 00:03:45,707 --> 00:03:47,547 Speaker 2: Warriors rather than the other way around. 72 00:03:48,787 --> 00:03:52,107 Speaker 3: Doesn't normally happen. Usually when they venture off to the 73 00:03:52,107 --> 00:03:55,387 Speaker 3: Eastern States of Australia and settle into the way of 74 00:03:56,027 --> 00:04:00,627 Speaker 3: living in Sydney or in Queensland, not many of them 75 00:04:01,067 --> 00:04:05,627 Speaker 3: really want to come back during their career. But James 76 00:04:05,707 --> 00:04:09,627 Speaker 3: is such a speed sure character. He's family mean everything 77 00:04:09,667 --> 00:04:14,587 Speaker 3: to him and they're still here, and he's very connected 78 00:04:14,587 --> 00:04:18,827 Speaker 3: to know the culture and a very important leader around 79 00:04:18,907 --> 00:04:22,867 Speaker 3: that and for the Kiwi's and he in his own words, 80 00:04:23,067 --> 00:04:25,027 Speaker 3: you know, wants to give back to the game in 81 00:04:25,067 --> 00:04:27,747 Speaker 3: New Zealand that's given him so much, and I can 82 00:04:27,827 --> 00:04:31,467 Speaker 3: really see him taking the leadership role of the kiwis 83 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:36,187 Speaker 3: to another level. And so when you've got that, yeah, 84 00:04:36,227 --> 00:04:38,947 Speaker 3: it doesn't happen too often, but when it does happen, 85 00:04:39,707 --> 00:04:41,867 Speaker 3: you know, we've got to grab it with both hands, 86 00:04:41,867 --> 00:04:43,667 Speaker 3: in which we did this week and we're privileged and 87 00:04:43,707 --> 00:04:45,387 Speaker 3: proud about. But now we move on for the rest 88 00:04:45,387 --> 00:04:47,067 Speaker 3: of the year. Him at Penrith and us here. 89 00:04:47,707 --> 00:04:50,867 Speaker 2: So with such a short time frame, when did you 90 00:04:50,907 --> 00:04:51,867 Speaker 2: let the plane group know? 91 00:04:54,107 --> 00:04:58,987 Speaker 3: On Wednesday? Send him a text message? Apologize firstly that 92 00:04:59,027 --> 00:05:01,827 Speaker 3: I couldn't be there in person to tell him. A 93 00:05:01,867 --> 00:05:04,027 Speaker 3: few the senior guys and where we had a chat, 94 00:05:04,867 --> 00:05:09,347 Speaker 3: so I said, email of the staff from the while 95 00:05:09,347 --> 00:05:11,387 Speaker 3: I was waiting for James asigned the contract while I 96 00:05:11,387 --> 00:05:13,467 Speaker 3: was sitting in the room. And that's how tight we 97 00:05:13,547 --> 00:05:16,547 Speaker 3: held it. But we trust our staff, we trust our players. 98 00:05:16,587 --> 00:05:20,107 Speaker 3: We always tell them beforehand. But because it moves so quickly, 99 00:05:20,107 --> 00:05:23,187 Speaker 3: and I didn't know, you know, you never know until 100 00:05:23,187 --> 00:05:26,387 Speaker 3: it's happened. So I couldn't give him that confirmation until 101 00:05:26,387 --> 00:05:29,627 Speaker 3: I got to Sydney, and as it was happening, they 102 00:05:29,707 --> 00:05:33,427 Speaker 3: all knew before anyone else, and it was held very tight. 103 00:05:33,547 --> 00:05:37,067 Speaker 3: And you know, that's how our organization is. And that's 104 00:05:37,067 --> 00:05:40,707 Speaker 3: how how we live with transparent with our staff and players, 105 00:05:40,907 --> 00:05:43,347 Speaker 3: and we trust them around that and that's why they 106 00:05:43,347 --> 00:05:44,147 Speaker 3: get that information. 107 00:05:44,747 --> 00:05:48,227 Speaker 2: So when he arrives, what sort of groundwork do you 108 00:05:48,227 --> 00:05:50,787 Speaker 2: need to do now in terms of helping him find 109 00:05:50,787 --> 00:05:53,667 Speaker 2: somewhere to live, schools for us kids, that sort of thing. 110 00:05:53,787 --> 00:05:55,787 Speaker 2: Does the club get heavily involved in that sort of thing. 111 00:05:55,987 --> 00:05:59,587 Speaker 3: Yeah, We're there to help any player, whether it's James Fisher, 112 00:05:59,587 --> 00:06:06,027 Speaker 3: Harris or Kirk Kate Well or Mitch Barnett. We've got 113 00:06:06,067 --> 00:06:08,667 Speaker 3: a very very good system in place where we help 114 00:06:09,147 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 3: off international relocators. We have to be good at that 115 00:06:14,067 --> 00:06:17,187 Speaker 3: because if we're not, no one's going to come here. 116 00:06:17,187 --> 00:06:19,947 Speaker 3: But we do a really good job, which I'm really 117 00:06:19,987 --> 00:06:23,147 Speaker 3: proud of. Our staff are always willing and able to help. 118 00:06:23,787 --> 00:06:28,547 Speaker 3: You know, I've done I've done house inspections, and I've 119 00:06:28,587 --> 00:06:32,227 Speaker 3: done union inspections in the city and facetiming players and 120 00:06:32,227 --> 00:06:35,067 Speaker 3: their wives and chart them around and all sorts of 121 00:06:35,107 --> 00:06:39,147 Speaker 3: different things, and so everyone puts their hands on the 122 00:06:39,147 --> 00:06:42,707 Speaker 3: wheel to help there. But in terms of James and 123 00:06:42,747 --> 00:06:45,907 Speaker 3: that we won't. We'll be here to help, but you know, 124 00:06:45,987 --> 00:06:48,387 Speaker 3: it's now focused moving on and letting him do his thing. 125 00:06:48,427 --> 00:06:51,227 Speaker 3: And the lucky thing for James, he's got family here 126 00:06:51,267 --> 00:06:53,787 Speaker 3: too that will help. So but we're here. Yeah, we 127 00:06:53,827 --> 00:06:54,667 Speaker 3: do a good job. 128 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:57,507 Speaker 2: All right. So James Fisher Harris is a Warrior for 129 00:06:57,707 --> 00:07:00,307 Speaker 2: the next four years starting in twenty twenty five. Has 130 00:07:00,347 --> 00:07:04,547 Speaker 2: that led to other players and agents expressing an interest 131 00:07:04,627 --> 00:07:07,627 Speaker 2: to do either come to the Warrior all stay with 132 00:07:07,667 --> 00:07:08,227 Speaker 2: the Warriors. 133 00:07:09,147 --> 00:07:12,587 Speaker 3: I expect over time there'll be some interest for sure. 134 00:07:15,667 --> 00:07:23,427 Speaker 3: This club is really making some serious headway and progress 135 00:07:23,707 --> 00:07:28,147 Speaker 3: into the development and pathways. And what I mean by 136 00:07:28,187 --> 00:07:31,467 Speaker 3: that is there's a lot of kids out there, because 137 00:07:31,467 --> 00:07:37,307 Speaker 3: of the NRL experience of getting now, are wanting to 138 00:07:37,307 --> 00:07:40,067 Speaker 3: come and play in our Warriors system. Because for the 139 00:07:40,067 --> 00:07:43,587 Speaker 3: first time in our club's history, we have teams from 140 00:07:43,627 --> 00:07:46,787 Speaker 3: under seventeens right through the NRL. So we are equal 141 00:07:46,827 --> 00:07:51,907 Speaker 3: footing it now with every other NRL club. So we're 142 00:07:52,027 --> 00:07:55,027 Speaker 3: very serious about it. Andrew McFadden is in charge of 143 00:07:55,027 --> 00:07:57,667 Speaker 3: that and his experience alone will tell you how much 144 00:07:58,827 --> 00:08:03,587 Speaker 3: emphasis we're putting on good coaching, good development, good pathways. 145 00:08:04,467 --> 00:08:09,307 Speaker 3: And you know, yesterday our Harold Matthews team, first time 146 00:08:10,227 --> 00:08:13,347 Speaker 3: in our club's history we've had one under seventeens beat 147 00:08:13,427 --> 00:08:15,947 Speaker 3: the undefeated Bulldog's team to get into the Grand Final 148 00:08:15,987 --> 00:08:20,867 Speaker 3: next week. So it's huge for us and what players 149 00:08:20,907 --> 00:08:25,467 Speaker 3: like James Fisher Harris and Tahu Harris and Mitch Barnet 150 00:08:25,667 --> 00:08:30,947 Speaker 3: and Wade Egan and Sean Johnson, kids want to be 151 00:08:31,067 --> 00:08:35,547 Speaker 3: them and they start to think about it, they start 152 00:08:35,587 --> 00:08:38,587 Speaker 3: to play the game at their local level, they aspire 153 00:08:38,627 --> 00:08:41,187 Speaker 3: to be a Warrior now because we have the pathway 154 00:08:41,227 --> 00:08:43,347 Speaker 3: system to get them there where before we've never had that. 155 00:08:43,427 --> 00:08:47,227 Speaker 3: So are the phone ringing, No, but our numbers through 156 00:08:47,227 --> 00:08:49,147 Speaker 3: the roof in terms of kids wanting to play for 157 00:08:49,147 --> 00:08:52,067 Speaker 3: the Warriors. Absolutely, We've got academies all around the country 158 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:55,347 Speaker 3: and this is what these top eleague players do. They 159 00:08:55,427 --> 00:08:58,307 Speaker 3: attract kids to come and wear the jumper and ultimately 160 00:08:58,387 --> 00:09:00,907 Speaker 3: what we want is them to play for the Kiwis 161 00:09:01,547 --> 00:09:03,987 Speaker 3: and use our platform to get there. And if we 162 00:09:04,067 --> 00:09:05,867 Speaker 3: get more and more through our system to do that, 163 00:09:06,387 --> 00:09:08,187 Speaker 3: how goods Rugby leage going to be in this country? 164 00:09:08,307 --> 00:09:11,347 Speaker 2: Indeed, indeed, our guest in studio Tool one is one 165 00:09:11,427 --> 00:09:14,027 Speaker 2: New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George want to come back 166 00:09:14,067 --> 00:09:17,067 Speaker 2: to recruitment. Your calls and questions are Welcome of eight 167 00:09:17,187 --> 00:09:19,707 Speaker 2: hundred and eighty ten eighty nine, two ninety two on text. 168 00:09:20,187 --> 00:09:23,947 Speaker 2: You became CEO of the Warriors in twenty seventeen. I 169 00:09:23,947 --> 00:09:26,667 Speaker 2: found a quote from you from twenty eighteen which I 170 00:09:26,787 --> 00:09:28,547 Speaker 2: like to read to you. It was about running a 171 00:09:28,627 --> 00:09:33,547 Speaker 2: successful sporting organization, and you said, it's about not over 172 00:09:33,627 --> 00:09:36,267 Speaker 2: analyzing what we are. We're just a footy club. Sure, 173 00:09:36,307 --> 00:09:39,787 Speaker 2: we're a proactive organization in the commercial space, but if 174 00:09:39,787 --> 00:09:41,947 Speaker 2: we get our core business right, which is winning games, 175 00:09:42,187 --> 00:09:44,747 Speaker 2: then everything feeds off that we're a footy team. It's 176 00:09:44,787 --> 00:09:48,307 Speaker 2: about signing quality players in the right positions, getting them fit, 177 00:09:48,787 --> 00:09:51,827 Speaker 2: winning more than we lose, and making sure every fan 178 00:09:51,987 --> 00:09:55,747 Speaker 2: goes home proud. That was from twenty eighteen. Do those 179 00:09:55,747 --> 00:09:57,587 Speaker 2: words still ring true to you. 180 00:09:58,107 --> 00:10:01,867 Speaker 3: We are We're just a footy club, and we don't 181 00:10:01,867 --> 00:10:05,707 Speaker 3: need to over analyze it. We sign good people that 182 00:10:05,787 --> 00:10:08,947 Speaker 3: can play for We have the right people in the 183 00:10:09,027 --> 00:10:13,707 Speaker 3: right rolls doing good jobs, and we have a good time. 184 00:10:13,947 --> 00:10:17,387 Speaker 3: And the thing is we work our butts off to 185 00:10:17,467 --> 00:10:19,547 Speaker 3: try and win more games than we lose with effort. 186 00:10:20,427 --> 00:10:23,747 Speaker 3: And when you're doing that, your whole business goes to 187 00:10:23,747 --> 00:10:27,747 Speaker 3: another level. When you're not doing that, and I've experienced 188 00:10:27,787 --> 00:10:30,987 Speaker 3: that this part you do, you cop it left, right 189 00:10:31,027 --> 00:10:35,267 Speaker 3: and center because of the passion from the fans and 190 00:10:33,667 --> 00:10:37,627 Speaker 3: the media or all over you and so on. So 191 00:10:38,267 --> 00:10:43,067 Speaker 3: it's pretty simple business. He's get the best people in 192 00:10:43,107 --> 00:10:45,467 Speaker 3: the best roles, and that's on and off the field, 193 00:10:45,627 --> 00:10:49,467 Speaker 3: and win footy games. From that, we can get creative 194 00:10:49,467 --> 00:10:51,547 Speaker 3: with our brands, and we can get creative with our 195 00:10:51,547 --> 00:10:54,467 Speaker 3: game day experiences and all that. But that's the core 196 00:10:54,547 --> 00:10:56,227 Speaker 3: of what we should be doing. First and foremost. 197 00:10:56,587 --> 00:10:58,587 Speaker 2: I want to ask you about your fan engagement as well. 198 00:10:58,627 --> 00:11:01,227 Speaker 2: Every club I think says they want to be fan focused, 199 00:11:01,307 --> 00:11:03,267 Speaker 2: they want to be fan centric, they want to put 200 00:11:03,507 --> 00:11:05,227 Speaker 2: the fans in the middle of everything they do. It's 201 00:11:05,227 --> 00:11:07,067 Speaker 2: a bit of a holy grail I think for a 202 00:11:07,107 --> 00:11:08,907 Speaker 2: lot of teams, and a lot of teams don't achieve it. 203 00:11:09,107 --> 00:11:13,467 Speaker 2: The Warriors actually do it. What are the key planks 204 00:11:13,547 --> 00:11:15,947 Speaker 2: to your fan engagement strategy? 205 00:11:16,427 --> 00:11:20,547 Speaker 3: So when we come back from that time, we spent 206 00:11:20,587 --> 00:11:25,027 Speaker 3: away again not over analyzing what we wanted to do. 207 00:11:27,107 --> 00:11:31,307 Speaker 3: I'm not a big corporate person in terms of strategy 208 00:11:31,347 --> 00:11:33,987 Speaker 3: documents and all that. I keep it pretty simple. It's 209 00:11:34,027 --> 00:11:37,907 Speaker 3: the only way I can manage myself and the two 210 00:11:37,907 --> 00:11:42,387 Speaker 3: words we users reconnect and re engage with the country, 211 00:11:44,067 --> 00:11:47,467 Speaker 3: and I let the team go away and build their 212 00:11:47,507 --> 00:11:51,867 Speaker 3: plans around those two outcomes. And to the credit and 213 00:11:51,907 --> 00:11:54,507 Speaker 3: the quality of a staff that we have in our organization, 214 00:11:56,227 --> 00:11:59,267 Speaker 3: keeping it simple, we just started to develop a way 215 00:11:59,307 --> 00:12:03,427 Speaker 3: forward with re engaging and reconnecting with everyone. How do 216 00:12:03,467 --> 00:12:05,667 Speaker 3: we do that. We do it through community, We do 217 00:12:05,707 --> 00:12:08,707 Speaker 3: it through our game day experiences, we do it through 218 00:12:08,707 --> 00:12:14,747 Speaker 3: our partnerships and memberships, and we just let the staff 219 00:12:14,867 --> 00:12:18,947 Speaker 3: build their own business sort of cases around achieving that. 220 00:12:19,027 --> 00:12:23,587 Speaker 3: So it's not hard. But when we get the best 221 00:12:23,627 --> 00:12:26,827 Speaker 3: people doing great things, which we have in our organization, 222 00:12:26,907 --> 00:12:32,027 Speaker 3: through digital content, through social media, through our commercial partnerships, 223 00:12:32,027 --> 00:12:38,987 Speaker 3: through our game day experience, membership engagement, the fans start 224 00:12:39,027 --> 00:12:41,187 Speaker 3: to really come close to you and they start to 225 00:12:41,227 --> 00:12:44,027 Speaker 3: lift you to go to a high level. They ask 226 00:12:44,147 --> 00:12:47,267 Speaker 3: you to go and be bold, be brave, and I 227 00:12:47,347 --> 00:12:49,387 Speaker 3: love that with our staff they are. I said, do 228 00:12:49,547 --> 00:12:52,507 Speaker 3: not come to me with boring shit. I want excitement. 229 00:12:52,627 --> 00:12:55,307 Speaker 3: I want fun. I want you to be bold and brave. 230 00:12:55,387 --> 00:12:58,187 Speaker 3: I want other people look at us and go they 231 00:12:58,227 --> 00:13:00,267 Speaker 3: can do it. How did they come up with that? 232 00:13:00,387 --> 00:13:02,347 Speaker 3: Why did they do it, how did they do it? 233 00:13:02,387 --> 00:13:05,667 Speaker 3: But I just love the fans engaging with us at 234 00:13:05,707 --> 00:13:08,387 Speaker 3: a high level started as simple as that business case. 235 00:13:09,147 --> 00:13:12,867 Speaker 2: Often like inn fan engagement to pushing a bolder upper hill. 236 00:13:13,467 --> 00:13:15,147 Speaker 2: You know, it takes a lot of work. You push 237 00:13:15,187 --> 00:13:17,467 Speaker 2: it up, you might slip back a little bit, things 238 00:13:17,467 --> 00:13:18,827 Speaker 2: get in your way, but you get to the top 239 00:13:18,867 --> 00:13:20,067 Speaker 2: of the hill and you push it over and it 240 00:13:20,067 --> 00:13:21,907 Speaker 2: becomes a juggernaut. And I feel like that's what the 241 00:13:21,907 --> 00:13:24,307 Speaker 2: Warriors are now. You can't get a ticket to watch 242 00:13:24,347 --> 00:13:27,027 Speaker 2: this team play up and down the country and across Australia. 243 00:13:27,147 --> 00:13:30,507 Speaker 2: Up the wars has become this catch cry. Was there 244 00:13:30,547 --> 00:13:32,627 Speaker 2: a moment or a point in time where you think 245 00:13:32,627 --> 00:13:34,227 Speaker 2: you push that boulder over the top of the hill? 246 00:13:34,547 --> 00:13:37,387 Speaker 3: No, never, ever do we want to think we have. 247 00:13:38,467 --> 00:13:41,067 Speaker 3: Our fans mean so much to us and the passion 248 00:13:41,107 --> 00:13:44,307 Speaker 3: of the fans is just unbelievable and it's a privilege 249 00:13:44,347 --> 00:13:47,267 Speaker 3: to be in this role. It's a privilege to work 250 00:13:47,267 --> 00:13:49,667 Speaker 3: at the one New Zealand Warriors, whether you're a player 251 00:13:49,907 --> 00:13:53,907 Speaker 3: or a staff member. But the one thing we don't 252 00:13:53,907 --> 00:13:55,867 Speaker 3: do is take it for granted. We quite often have 253 00:13:55,907 --> 00:13:58,827 Speaker 3: a chat about a guys don't sit on your hands. 254 00:13:58,987 --> 00:14:03,147 Speaker 3: I need better, We need to be better, and we've 255 00:14:03,227 --> 00:14:05,907 Speaker 3: just got I can't talk highly enough of our staff. 256 00:14:06,547 --> 00:14:08,147 Speaker 3: You know one of them, and Thomas Harris, so we 257 00:14:08,227 --> 00:14:13,307 Speaker 3: might talk about him. He's extremely passionate. He goes over 258 00:14:13,347 --> 00:14:16,067 Speaker 3: and beyond his call of duty to make sure all 259 00:14:16,107 --> 00:14:18,267 Speaker 3: of his corporates are well looked after. He's nothing but 260 00:14:18,347 --> 00:14:21,307 Speaker 3: great feedback. He's one of about thirty or forty people 261 00:14:21,307 --> 00:14:24,587 Speaker 3: in that organization that do it all the time. And 262 00:14:24,627 --> 00:14:26,667 Speaker 3: I'm so proud of him and can't do it without him. 263 00:14:26,747 --> 00:14:29,147 Speaker 3: But the one thing I know about all of our staff, 264 00:14:30,507 --> 00:14:33,627 Speaker 3: they're enjoying the good times, but they're not taking it 265 00:14:33,667 --> 00:14:36,067 Speaker 3: for granted. We can be so much better. They know 266 00:14:36,187 --> 00:14:38,427 Speaker 3: we can be so much better. So there hasn't been 267 00:14:38,467 --> 00:14:41,067 Speaker 3: one point in time where we believe we've become a juggernaut. 268 00:14:41,467 --> 00:14:44,267 Speaker 3: We believe we are doing well, but we're going to 269 00:14:44,307 --> 00:14:47,187 Speaker 3: get better and better and better. And I can assure 270 00:14:47,227 --> 00:14:50,867 Speaker 3: you whatever fan of sport you are out in the country, 271 00:14:50,987 --> 00:14:54,547 Speaker 3: you'll want a ticket to the Warriors because our creative 272 00:14:54,987 --> 00:15:00,187 Speaker 3: innovation and aggressive and bold thinking are to be better. 273 00:15:00,267 --> 00:15:01,707 Speaker 3: Is going to be seen over the next few years 274 00:15:01,707 --> 00:15:02,627 Speaker 3: in sport in New Zealand. 275 00:15:03,067 --> 00:15:05,227 Speaker 2: Do you think you need a bigger stadium. 276 00:15:05,507 --> 00:15:09,827 Speaker 3: I don't think so. I really don't think so. You 277 00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:13,307 Speaker 3: know the key is here by early. If you want 278 00:15:13,307 --> 00:15:15,307 Speaker 3: to come to our games, just buy a ticket early 279 00:15:15,587 --> 00:15:18,187 Speaker 3: and come and enjoy it. Whether it's you're buying a 280 00:15:18,187 --> 00:15:21,067 Speaker 3: ticket in July or not, doesn't matter. Just buy a ticket, 281 00:15:21,147 --> 00:15:23,787 Speaker 3: lock it away, come and join us. I think you 282 00:15:23,827 --> 00:15:26,627 Speaker 3: can get two above yourself, and I think you can 283 00:15:26,667 --> 00:15:31,507 Speaker 3: get too ambitious in terms of what you think you 284 00:15:31,547 --> 00:15:34,307 Speaker 3: can pull crowd wise. I would rather have twenty six 285 00:15:34,387 --> 00:15:37,187 Speaker 3: thousand people they're screaming and yelling, proud as punch to 286 00:15:37,187 --> 00:15:40,227 Speaker 3: know they've come wearing the jumpers from ninety five or 287 00:15:40,227 --> 00:15:43,867 Speaker 3: two thousand and two or twenty and nineteen or twenty 288 00:15:44,107 --> 00:15:46,227 Speaker 3: twenty four. It doesn't worry us. They're all one big, 289 00:15:46,267 --> 00:15:46,947 Speaker 3: happy family. 290 00:15:47,627 --> 00:15:48,787 Speaker 2: And rather than. 291 00:15:48,627 --> 00:15:52,867 Speaker 3: Have ten thousand empty seats, I just love the fact 292 00:15:52,867 --> 00:15:56,987 Speaker 3: that it's it's just exciting to be there. So grab 293 00:15:57,027 --> 00:15:59,347 Speaker 3: your tickets, get in early, and that's what it should be. 294 00:15:59,547 --> 00:16:01,187 Speaker 2: Just before we go to a break. Got a question 295 00:16:01,227 --> 00:16:03,347 Speaker 2: if from a listener. Stadium sells out for home games 296 00:16:03,347 --> 00:16:06,627 Speaker 2: every week, but sometimes season ticket holders don't come. Can 297 00:16:06,667 --> 00:16:10,227 Speaker 2: the club set up a gift back scheme so tickets 298 00:16:10,267 --> 00:16:12,747 Speaker 2: can be easily transferred back to the club for resale. 299 00:16:13,067 --> 00:16:14,587 Speaker 2: Is that something that you've thought about. 300 00:16:14,507 --> 00:16:18,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is. It is a consideration. We're trying to 301 00:16:18,547 --> 00:16:23,547 Speaker 3: do it. Look, it's a hard one because you know, 302 00:16:23,787 --> 00:16:27,627 Speaker 3: you there's a balance between having growth in your membership, 303 00:16:27,707 --> 00:16:31,187 Speaker 3: but it also takes away your retail sales on game 304 00:16:31,307 --> 00:16:34,867 Speaker 3: days and so on. So we're working through any number 305 00:16:34,867 --> 00:16:39,507 Speaker 3: of options to improve the presence of you know, the 306 00:16:39,627 --> 00:16:42,987 Speaker 3: membership holders first and foremost. But look, I know members 307 00:16:43,027 --> 00:16:45,627 Speaker 3: that are members of the club that live in Melbourne 308 00:16:46,147 --> 00:16:49,587 Speaker 3: or live in Australia, but they buy two tickets at 309 00:16:49,627 --> 00:16:50,987 Speaker 3: the start of the year because they want to support 310 00:16:51,027 --> 00:16:53,187 Speaker 3: the club, but their seats are empty, or they give 311 00:16:53,187 --> 00:16:55,027 Speaker 3: them to their mates or their mates the don't take them, 312 00:16:55,387 --> 00:16:58,587 Speaker 3: or take them, whatever it be. But there's no real 313 00:16:59,267 --> 00:17:04,227 Speaker 3: sort of bulletproof system that will have the stadium field 314 00:17:04,267 --> 00:17:08,107 Speaker 3: in every seat. You know, weather's a big so there 315 00:17:08,187 --> 00:17:10,307 Speaker 3: is system. There are systems out there we are looking 316 00:17:10,307 --> 00:17:16,107 Speaker 3: at for that purpose of a non cell scenario. 317 00:17:16,307 --> 00:17:18,787 Speaker 2: News Talks. He'll be twelve twenty five in studio with 318 00:17:18,787 --> 00:17:21,907 Speaker 2: one New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George, your questions and 319 00:17:21,947 --> 00:17:23,587 Speaker 2: welcome on TeX's got a whole bunch here which I'll 320 00:17:23,627 --> 00:17:25,187 Speaker 2: try to get to in just a moment. Back in 321 00:17:25,227 --> 00:17:27,747 Speaker 2: a second. On Weekend Sport News talks have been Weekend 322 00:17:27,747 --> 00:17:30,267 Speaker 2: Sport twelve twenty eight in studio with us until one 323 00:17:30,267 --> 00:17:33,387 Speaker 2: o'clock is one. New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George. Question 324 00:17:33,467 --> 00:17:36,467 Speaker 2: here on text cam. Great job you're doing. Just wondering 325 00:17:36,547 --> 00:17:39,827 Speaker 2: how many scouts we have at the Warriors looking for talent. 326 00:17:41,147 --> 00:17:45,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, we have eyes and ears everywhere, official or not official, 327 00:17:46,787 --> 00:17:48,987 Speaker 3: but there's plenty of people wanting to tip us off 328 00:17:49,027 --> 00:17:53,187 Speaker 3: about kids. Look, Andrewy Fadden and his team have got 329 00:17:53,187 --> 00:17:55,427 Speaker 3: people planning all around the country. You know, I would 330 00:17:55,427 --> 00:17:58,387 Speaker 3: say we'd have a dozen people in New Zealand, but 331 00:17:58,507 --> 00:18:02,187 Speaker 3: we also through those contacts, they will get phone calls 332 00:18:02,187 --> 00:18:05,227 Speaker 3: about particular kids. In Australia, we've got people on the 333 00:18:05,227 --> 00:18:09,227 Speaker 3: lookout as well. So yeah, it's it's something that doesn't 334 00:18:09,267 --> 00:18:10,147 Speaker 3: stop in your business. 335 00:18:11,107 --> 00:18:13,747 Speaker 2: Another one through on text question for camp do you 336 00:18:13,827 --> 00:18:16,387 Speaker 2: see a real opportunity for rugby league to be the 337 00:18:16,387 --> 00:18:19,347 Speaker 2: most popular winter sport in New Zealand or will we 338 00:18:19,507 --> 00:18:22,147 Speaker 2: always be a rugby country. I know this is a 339 00:18:22,587 --> 00:18:23,787 Speaker 2: hot topic around the place. 340 00:18:23,947 --> 00:18:27,587 Speaker 3: I do absolutely I do. I absolutely believe rugby league 341 00:18:27,627 --> 00:18:32,227 Speaker 3: can be, you know, the number one sport in New Zealand, 342 00:18:32,707 --> 00:18:35,467 Speaker 3: and that'll come through the Kiwi's doing a great job, 343 00:18:36,267 --> 00:18:41,227 Speaker 3: us doing a fantastic job, and our community presence all 344 00:18:41,267 --> 00:18:42,907 Speaker 3: around the country. It's a lot of hard work, don't 345 00:18:42,907 --> 00:18:45,547 Speaker 3: get me wrong. Will never beat the All Blacks, but 346 00:18:45,667 --> 00:18:48,587 Speaker 3: they're there and nor should be. We should them and 347 00:18:48,587 --> 00:18:51,267 Speaker 3: the Kiwis should be the most respected national teams in 348 00:18:51,267 --> 00:18:54,667 Speaker 3: this competition, sorry, in their competitions, in their sports, and 349 00:18:54,947 --> 00:18:57,187 Speaker 3: I do I respect the All Blacks like you wouldn't believe. 350 00:18:57,707 --> 00:19:00,787 Speaker 3: But in terms of week to week competitions such as 351 00:19:00,867 --> 00:19:04,347 Speaker 3: Super Rugby NRL, yes, we'll win and we'll get there 352 00:19:04,387 --> 00:19:07,067 Speaker 3: and we'll keep going and we might be up against 353 00:19:07,067 --> 00:19:10,067 Speaker 3: six or seven franchises, but I can assure you through 354 00:19:10,067 --> 00:19:12,387 Speaker 3: all of our work and we've got a few big 355 00:19:12,387 --> 00:19:14,267 Speaker 3: surprises we're working on over the next few years. 356 00:19:15,267 --> 00:19:20,987 Speaker 2: Andrew Webster, can you articulate has impact on this club 357 00:19:22,427 --> 00:19:22,867 Speaker 2: in part? 358 00:19:22,987 --> 00:19:31,667 Speaker 3: I can't Webby's I've heard so many different ways of 359 00:19:31,707 --> 00:19:37,427 Speaker 3: people trying to explain Webby, but Webby's just himself. I've 360 00:19:37,427 --> 00:19:40,267 Speaker 3: seen a lot of people try and be someone they're 361 00:19:40,267 --> 00:19:44,387 Speaker 3: not at different times. And I'm not just relating to 362 00:19:44,387 --> 00:19:47,827 Speaker 3: the football here Rugby league, just in general. People try 363 00:19:47,867 --> 00:19:51,987 Speaker 3: and be someone you're not. And when you can be 364 00:19:52,067 --> 00:19:57,787 Speaker 3: yourself and be really successful and happy with what attributes 365 00:19:57,827 --> 00:20:01,027 Speaker 3: you have and then you can't impose those around your workplace, 366 00:20:02,387 --> 00:20:06,027 Speaker 3: you'll know anything. You'll be successful all the time. And 367 00:20:06,067 --> 00:20:10,747 Speaker 3: that's He's authentic. He's genuine and I'm sure you know 368 00:20:10,747 --> 00:20:13,587 Speaker 3: when you talk to him you'll feel that. And he's 369 00:20:13,747 --> 00:20:17,387 Speaker 3: always been like that. He's never not been someone that 370 00:20:17,427 --> 00:20:20,667 Speaker 3: he shouldn't be, and I think that is the genuineness 371 00:20:20,667 --> 00:20:23,307 Speaker 3: and the authenticity that the players are really relating to. 372 00:20:24,707 --> 00:20:28,667 Speaker 3: Like me, he keeps it pretty simple. Our discussions are 373 00:20:28,907 --> 00:20:31,587 Speaker 3: pretty direct and pretty simple. We don't try and get 374 00:20:31,627 --> 00:20:33,187 Speaker 3: too cute of what we need to say and how 375 00:20:33,227 --> 00:20:36,307 Speaker 3: we say it. We know the outcome we need and 376 00:20:36,347 --> 00:20:40,427 Speaker 3: I trust him with my world and vice versa. Me 377 00:20:40,427 --> 00:20:44,867 Speaker 3: and him and Kapi are so close in every discussion 378 00:20:44,907 --> 00:20:48,947 Speaker 3: and everything we do around the joint, and I'm just 379 00:20:49,067 --> 00:20:52,467 Speaker 3: really happy for Webby that he's grown in the role. 380 00:20:53,827 --> 00:20:56,987 Speaker 3: But he, like everyone else in the organization knows that 381 00:20:57,067 --> 00:20:58,907 Speaker 3: there's a long way to go and we can be better. 382 00:21:00,067 --> 00:21:04,147 Speaker 3: And he's just consistently great at his job day and 383 00:21:04,227 --> 00:21:08,427 Speaker 3: day out with honesty and authenticity and that's what's working 384 00:21:08,467 --> 00:21:10,987 Speaker 3: for him. And the minute I see that change, I'll 385 00:21:11,067 --> 00:21:13,947 Speaker 3: kick him in the ass because it's working for him 386 00:21:14,027 --> 00:21:16,307 Speaker 3: and he will continue to get better with experience too. 387 00:21:16,307 --> 00:21:20,147 Speaker 3: That's the other thing. He's still experiencing first first time 388 00:21:20,187 --> 00:21:25,267 Speaker 3: as you know, so long way to go. But just 389 00:21:26,067 --> 00:21:28,787 Speaker 3: as a club, we're lucky to have him rich Agar, 390 00:21:29,467 --> 00:21:33,227 Speaker 3: Slave Griffin, Stacy Jones as a unit and I know 391 00:21:33,347 --> 00:21:35,547 Speaker 3: he leans on them and I know he loves coaching 392 00:21:35,627 --> 00:21:37,987 Speaker 3: with them, and he will never think it's him. He 393 00:21:37,987 --> 00:21:40,387 Speaker 3: would always think it's them as a group. 394 00:21:40,467 --> 00:21:43,627 Speaker 2: So is he And you talk about that triangle of 395 00:21:43,667 --> 00:21:46,827 Speaker 2: yourself Andrew McFadden and hit a recruitment and Andrew Wibster. 396 00:21:48,587 --> 00:21:51,147 Speaker 2: Is it an environment in which you can challenge one another? 397 00:21:51,627 --> 00:21:57,867 Speaker 3: Yes, yeah, we carry on at each other, absolutely, but 398 00:21:58,307 --> 00:22:00,947 Speaker 3: it's there said and done and move on. And it's 399 00:22:00,947 --> 00:22:04,827 Speaker 3: only opinions. It's not like it's not like we're questioning 400 00:22:04,867 --> 00:22:07,987 Speaker 3: anyone's capability here. It's just have a different view or 401 00:22:08,027 --> 00:22:11,147 Speaker 3: they might have a different view and or you know, 402 00:22:11,787 --> 00:22:14,707 Speaker 3: whatever it be, but it's only an opinion. It's, as 403 00:22:14,747 --> 00:22:16,987 Speaker 3: I said, the most important thing we're not talking about 404 00:22:17,387 --> 00:22:23,587 Speaker 3: their capabilities that they're absolutely terrific operators, innovative thinkers and 405 00:22:23,787 --> 00:22:27,427 Speaker 3: just want the best outcomes. So our chats are funny, 406 00:22:27,467 --> 00:22:30,547 Speaker 3: to be honest. We can we can talk some some 407 00:22:30,627 --> 00:22:34,467 Speaker 3: serious ship and some quite funny ways and and we 408 00:22:34,627 --> 00:22:36,227 Speaker 3: just get on with it. We don't have a board, 409 00:22:36,467 --> 00:22:38,227 Speaker 3: you know, we have a chair and Kenny Raisfield and 410 00:22:38,267 --> 00:22:41,707 Speaker 3: our owner of Mark Robinson, he we just link him 411 00:22:41,707 --> 00:22:43,867 Speaker 3: in when we need to and he loves it too. 412 00:22:44,107 --> 00:22:48,627 Speaker 3: We're just such an efficient thinking tank and we're so 413 00:22:48,747 --> 00:22:50,987 Speaker 3: blessed to have that because the trust is so big. 414 00:22:51,547 --> 00:22:53,827 Speaker 2: Do you critiqu the Rugby League? Do you critique the 415 00:22:53,907 --> 00:22:55,347 Speaker 2: nuts and bolts of the way the team plays with 416 00:22:55,387 --> 00:22:56,427 Speaker 2: Andrew Wibster, Well. 417 00:22:56,267 --> 00:23:00,787 Speaker 3: It's funny. They they they take they do take the 418 00:23:00,827 --> 00:23:02,707 Speaker 3: piss out of me a bit on this basis that 419 00:23:03,227 --> 00:23:05,067 Speaker 3: I always try and come up with a scrum play 420 00:23:05,227 --> 00:23:08,107 Speaker 3: or something like that that I see and I think 421 00:23:08,147 --> 00:23:11,067 Speaker 3: I reckon I could add my touch to that, And 422 00:23:11,307 --> 00:23:14,107 Speaker 3: quite often I'll get a whiteboard out and they start laughing, 423 00:23:14,187 --> 00:23:19,187 Speaker 3: But I soon know my place where he's a coach. 424 00:23:19,267 --> 00:23:21,587 Speaker 3: Cap he knows more than me when he claims to, 425 00:23:21,867 --> 00:23:26,507 Speaker 3: and yeah I don't. I'll have a view on players, mate, 426 00:23:26,547 --> 00:23:29,387 Speaker 3: but look, they are on a different planet, the coaches. 427 00:23:29,427 --> 00:23:32,147 Speaker 3: When you get into the detail of players, I would 428 00:23:32,147 --> 00:23:34,587 Speaker 3: think player A is doing really well, and they'll give 429 00:23:34,627 --> 00:23:36,667 Speaker 3: me a two minute reason why they're not, and I'll 430 00:23:36,707 --> 00:23:38,667 Speaker 3: look at it and I'll go, how did I not 431 00:23:38,747 --> 00:23:42,227 Speaker 3: even see that? So they're experts, and I love the team. 432 00:23:42,227 --> 00:23:44,867 Speaker 3: We've got our players and our coaching staff. They're just 433 00:23:45,427 --> 00:23:50,227 Speaker 3: the best people, and you know, I know they're doing 434 00:23:50,267 --> 00:23:51,947 Speaker 3: the best they can for our fans. 435 00:23:52,427 --> 00:23:56,067 Speaker 2: So your contact presumably as daily you see them, chat 436 00:23:56,107 --> 00:23:57,107 Speaker 2: to them every day pretty much. 437 00:23:57,187 --> 00:23:59,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, one hundred percent. We talked all the time. Just 438 00:23:59,147 --> 00:24:02,027 Speaker 3: had a miscall from where you're right now. Actually, there 439 00:24:02,067 --> 00:24:05,307 Speaker 3: you go. He might have just got out of bed. 440 00:24:05,347 --> 00:24:06,867 Speaker 2: But the problem surprising. Listen to it. 441 00:24:08,027 --> 00:24:11,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, all the time are caps office are straight opposite 442 00:24:11,587 --> 00:24:17,027 Speaker 3: me where he walks past my office in the office, 443 00:24:17,147 --> 00:24:21,027 Speaker 3: and we're always talking, chatting. It could be even as 444 00:24:21,027 --> 00:24:22,987 Speaker 3: ten o'clock at night where we mont think of something, 445 00:24:23,067 --> 00:24:25,987 Speaker 3: give me a call. We're always available we're in it 446 00:24:26,027 --> 00:24:27,547 Speaker 3: for each other and we're in it to win for 447 00:24:27,587 --> 00:24:31,347 Speaker 3: our club and our fan base. And yeah, it's we've 448 00:24:31,427 --> 00:24:35,507 Speaker 3: just got the best, strongest, trusted relationship, which that's why 449 00:24:35,787 --> 00:24:37,187 Speaker 3: I feel really proud of our club. 450 00:24:38,147 --> 00:24:40,747 Speaker 2: Recruitment is the is the topic I think that most 451 00:24:40,787 --> 00:24:42,987 Speaker 2: of our listeners sent in questions about and wanted to 452 00:24:43,027 --> 00:24:45,827 Speaker 2: know about. I'll get to specifics in a moment, but 453 00:24:45,907 --> 00:24:50,307 Speaker 2: does the club have an overarching recruitment philosophy? 454 00:24:50,467 --> 00:24:55,947 Speaker 3: Yep, good people. That's you do your work at that point. 455 00:24:55,987 --> 00:24:59,867 Speaker 3: That that right at the start. If you get the 456 00:24:59,907 --> 00:25:03,067 Speaker 3: best person and we gon't engage with the best people 457 00:25:03,627 --> 00:25:07,667 Speaker 3: who can play footy when we have tough times, our 458 00:25:07,667 --> 00:25:09,747 Speaker 3: club's going to get through them. When you don't get 459 00:25:09,787 --> 00:25:14,147 Speaker 3: the best people into those roles, that's when we have problems. 460 00:25:14,347 --> 00:25:17,307 Speaker 3: And we've seen it in the past and hopefully we 461 00:25:17,347 --> 00:25:21,107 Speaker 3: don't see it in the future. It's making sure we 462 00:25:21,187 --> 00:25:24,827 Speaker 3: find the right people first. Clearly, the talent's always going 463 00:25:24,907 --> 00:25:28,347 Speaker 3: to be there, but they've got to be professional. They've 464 00:25:28,347 --> 00:25:33,467 Speaker 3: got to be buying into the club way, the identity 465 00:25:33,467 --> 00:25:36,707 Speaker 3: of the club, and when you get those types of 466 00:25:36,747 --> 00:25:40,267 Speaker 3: people ticking those boxes, you'll go to another level. And 467 00:25:40,587 --> 00:25:42,667 Speaker 3: if you look at all of our recruitments over the 468 00:25:42,747 --> 00:25:46,387 Speaker 3: last couple of years, they're all competitors, the terrific people, 469 00:25:46,747 --> 00:25:51,107 Speaker 3: terrific people, the family orientated for those that have families, 470 00:25:51,147 --> 00:25:54,467 Speaker 3: their club orientated. They are just here to win for 471 00:25:54,547 --> 00:25:59,427 Speaker 3: New Zealand. And there's a consistent philosophy around that, or 472 00:25:59,707 --> 00:26:02,987 Speaker 3: consistent attributes around all of our recruitment and that's what 473 00:26:03,067 --> 00:26:04,987 Speaker 3: it is. Best people first and foremost. 474 00:26:05,387 --> 00:26:07,267 Speaker 2: Do you think that And I'm not going to use 475 00:26:07,267 --> 00:26:09,307 Speaker 2: the warrior specifically here, but do you think a high 476 00:26:09,307 --> 00:26:13,707 Speaker 2: performing sports team can survive one dickhead? 477 00:26:14,507 --> 00:26:19,147 Speaker 3: No, not at all. You put one dickhead in your 478 00:26:19,187 --> 00:26:21,547 Speaker 3: office doesn't have to be a high performance team, and 479 00:26:21,587 --> 00:26:24,387 Speaker 3: you're going to have the same problems. You know everywhere 480 00:26:24,427 --> 00:26:27,067 Speaker 3: you go, unless you're a one man show. You know 481 00:26:27,147 --> 00:26:29,387 Speaker 3: you've got a team of people there and you put 482 00:26:29,427 --> 00:26:34,867 Speaker 3: a troublemaker in there that undermines your whole plan. You're thinking, 483 00:26:34,947 --> 00:26:38,987 Speaker 3: you know your outcomes that you want to achieve. In 484 00:26:38,987 --> 00:26:42,187 Speaker 3: our case, it's weekly and it's trust. It's all about trust. 485 00:26:42,627 --> 00:26:45,067 Speaker 3: Our whole club is all about trust because you need 486 00:26:45,147 --> 00:26:48,267 Speaker 3: to trust. If we talk about on the field, you 487 00:26:48,347 --> 00:26:50,107 Speaker 3: need to trust a person. Besides, he's going to make 488 00:26:50,147 --> 00:26:51,907 Speaker 3: that tackle otherwise you're going to come out of the line. 489 00:26:51,907 --> 00:26:54,627 Speaker 3: You need to trust a person when he's lining up 490 00:26:54,627 --> 00:26:57,427 Speaker 3: in front of twenty six zersand people to slaughter field 491 00:26:57,467 --> 00:26:59,947 Speaker 3: goal that he can do it. You just need to 492 00:26:59,947 --> 00:27:02,667 Speaker 3: do your job to get him that opportunity. I need 493 00:27:02,747 --> 00:27:04,867 Speaker 3: to trust people in the office and empower them. They 494 00:27:04,907 --> 00:27:08,547 Speaker 3: need to trust me in half times and so on. 495 00:27:08,707 --> 00:27:12,387 Speaker 3: So you can't have one dickhead because that trust gets 496 00:27:12,547 --> 00:27:17,347 Speaker 3: diluted to the point where you then compromise your whole 497 00:27:17,787 --> 00:27:23,747 Speaker 3: performance and organizational culture, which is which is difficult to 498 00:27:23,747 --> 00:27:24,747 Speaker 3: get back once you lose it. 499 00:27:25,267 --> 00:27:28,227 Speaker 2: When you're recruiting, you can look at a tape of 500 00:27:28,267 --> 00:27:30,187 Speaker 2: a player say, well, look at the line breaks he's making, 501 00:27:30,227 --> 00:27:32,027 Speaker 2: Look at the passes he's you know, look at his kicks, 502 00:27:32,067 --> 00:27:33,987 Speaker 2: look at his run meters all that stuff. But how 503 00:27:33,987 --> 00:27:36,187 Speaker 2: do you find out whether a person is a good 504 00:27:36,267 --> 00:27:37,027 Speaker 2: human being or not? 505 00:27:37,307 --> 00:27:40,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, we go through quite an interview process. Like no 506 00:27:40,147 --> 00:27:43,227 Speaker 3: one comes into our organization regardless regardless of the level, 507 00:27:43,787 --> 00:27:47,787 Speaker 3: talking footy players without webby having a one on one 508 00:27:47,827 --> 00:27:52,307 Speaker 3: with them. CAPI and I might have general chats. I'll 509 00:27:52,427 --> 00:27:54,707 Speaker 3: talk to the agents in detail about a lot of stuff. Cap, 510 00:27:54,707 --> 00:27:58,427 Speaker 3: You'll talk to the player, their parents. You know, we 511 00:27:58,507 --> 00:28:01,107 Speaker 3: get to know their family, and particularly the ones that 512 00:28:01,187 --> 00:28:04,347 Speaker 3: move from offshore to here. You know that they need 513 00:28:04,387 --> 00:28:06,747 Speaker 3: to trust us and they need to know who we are. 514 00:28:06,867 --> 00:28:09,347 Speaker 3: So when you know, you know, the young fellow gets 515 00:28:09,347 --> 00:28:11,827 Speaker 3: in trouble or the young fellows away from home for 516 00:28:11,867 --> 00:28:13,947 Speaker 3: the first time, they need to trust that they've got 517 00:28:13,947 --> 00:28:16,387 Speaker 3: good support and good people around him. And so that 518 00:28:16,467 --> 00:28:20,147 Speaker 3: relationship building process starts very early, and Cap he does 519 00:28:20,147 --> 00:28:23,707 Speaker 3: a wonderful job along with his staff, with the families 520 00:28:23,747 --> 00:28:26,987 Speaker 3: in New Zealand itself. You know, we went and met 521 00:28:26,987 --> 00:28:30,387 Speaker 3: a christ Church family not so long ago with a 522 00:28:30,427 --> 00:28:33,467 Speaker 3: young kid and he had sixteen clubs chasing him. Sixteen 523 00:28:33,507 --> 00:28:38,427 Speaker 3: clubs and you can imagine the trips and the lattes 524 00:28:38,467 --> 00:28:42,267 Speaker 3: and the kit they were getting from every club around 525 00:28:42,267 --> 00:28:44,867 Speaker 3: to move him offshore. And we went down there and 526 00:28:44,907 --> 00:28:47,027 Speaker 3: I said, I'm not talking to you about your son 527 00:28:47,267 --> 00:28:49,227 Speaker 3: and his football. I said, I just want your son 528 00:28:49,267 --> 00:28:51,827 Speaker 3: to be a kid. He's only fourteen. I said, in 529 00:28:51,827 --> 00:28:54,147 Speaker 3: two years time he might want to play ROBA League. 530 00:28:54,147 --> 00:28:57,467 Speaker 3: So our job here is to make sure that we 531 00:28:57,667 --> 00:29:00,627 Speaker 3: fulfill any potential if he wants to, and we've got 532 00:29:00,627 --> 00:29:03,347 Speaker 3: the right pathways. But our job is to make sure 533 00:29:03,347 --> 00:29:06,547 Speaker 3: that we treat your son like your son and not 534 00:29:06,547 --> 00:29:08,747 Speaker 3: treat him like a footballer at fourteen years of age. 535 00:29:08,787 --> 00:29:10,187 Speaker 3: I said, he could be still playing with Lego on 536 00:29:10,267 --> 00:29:13,427 Speaker 3: a year's time for all window. And that connection with 537 00:29:13,507 --> 00:29:15,867 Speaker 3: the family allowed them to trust us that their son 538 00:29:16,067 --> 00:29:19,947 Speaker 3: was going to be their son, not a footballer until 539 00:29:19,987 --> 00:29:22,947 Speaker 3: he wants to be a footballer. And that's the type 540 00:29:22,947 --> 00:29:25,147 Speaker 3: of you know, that's the type of relationship you've got 541 00:29:25,187 --> 00:29:31,267 Speaker 3: to have with families because you're basically taking over their 542 00:29:31,547 --> 00:29:36,427 Speaker 3: their son's career, which is we take it very very seriously. 543 00:29:37,227 --> 00:29:39,867 Speaker 2: You're talking with Sean Johnson about twenty twenty five. 544 00:29:40,867 --> 00:29:43,027 Speaker 3: I leave that to Webby. That's one. You know, there's 545 00:29:43,027 --> 00:29:45,667 Speaker 3: a few there. He just leaves the Webby. They're connections 546 00:29:45,747 --> 00:29:47,987 Speaker 3: so tight, so strong. To be a little bit like 547 00:29:48,107 --> 00:29:50,147 Speaker 3: last year, you know, we kept getting asked and asked 548 00:29:50,147 --> 00:29:54,507 Speaker 3: and asked Sean Sean, Sean Seanell decide when he wants 549 00:29:54,507 --> 00:29:57,267 Speaker 3: to decide and if that's in line with what Webby's thinking, 550 00:29:57,307 --> 00:30:01,507 Speaker 3: and they'll talk. They talk every week about it. I'm 551 00:30:01,547 --> 00:30:04,627 Speaker 3: sure the events of what happened this week probably sparks 552 00:30:04,627 --> 00:30:07,307 Speaker 3: his interest, but I've I sure Sean at the same 553 00:30:07,307 --> 00:30:10,147 Speaker 3: time is only thinking about winning on Anzac Day, which 554 00:30:10,187 --> 00:30:13,187 Speaker 3: is the professionals of him. But he's always going to 555 00:30:13,187 --> 00:30:13,947 Speaker 3: be a part of our club. 556 00:30:14,747 --> 00:30:17,747 Speaker 2: And in terms of priorities, when you're looking at players 557 00:30:17,787 --> 00:30:19,787 Speaker 2: coming off contract, because they you know, there's a bunch 558 00:30:19,787 --> 00:30:22,027 Speaker 2: of them coming off contract at the same time, not 559 00:30:22,107 --> 00:30:25,667 Speaker 2: all at the same time, but how do you prioritize 560 00:30:26,227 --> 00:30:29,307 Speaker 2: who you speak to in a salary capped environment. How 561 00:30:29,307 --> 00:30:31,667 Speaker 2: do you do that? How do you put all the 562 00:30:31,667 --> 00:30:32,827 Speaker 2: pieces of the Jicks all together. 563 00:30:33,027 --> 00:30:35,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a lot of consideration for Cappy, you know, 564 00:30:35,827 --> 00:30:38,827 Speaker 3: that's his job, that's his focus, and I know he's 565 00:30:38,987 --> 00:30:42,267 Speaker 3: looking out to twenty eight as we speak and strategizing 566 00:30:42,307 --> 00:30:45,707 Speaker 3: around how we get there, Why we keep certain players 567 00:30:45,707 --> 00:30:49,547 Speaker 3: opposed to letting other players start in the market for longer. 568 00:30:50,707 --> 00:30:53,867 Speaker 3: Who to sign up now for one year or three years. 569 00:30:54,587 --> 00:30:57,467 Speaker 3: And he's also got to take in consideration at the 570 00:30:57,507 --> 00:31:01,067 Speaker 3: same time the kids coming through the system, because now 571 00:31:01,107 --> 00:31:03,627 Speaker 3: he's having a development pathway system. If we're not going 572 00:31:03,667 --> 00:31:08,267 Speaker 3: to utilize it, we can't always just get people offshore 573 00:31:08,427 --> 00:31:13,467 Speaker 3: over We'll always will have people come, but probably not 574 00:31:13,587 --> 00:31:17,907 Speaker 3: the numbers. You know, good clubs, from my experience and 575 00:31:17,907 --> 00:31:21,947 Speaker 3: my observations, are ones that can develop from within, and 576 00:31:21,987 --> 00:31:24,867 Speaker 3: we've started that process very seriously this year and we've 577 00:31:25,387 --> 00:31:27,867 Speaker 3: you know, as I touched on before, really proud that 578 00:31:27,907 --> 00:31:30,907 Speaker 3: our seventeen he's got the Grand Final and they could 579 00:31:30,907 --> 00:31:33,987 Speaker 3: be our first real crop coming through. So good luck 580 00:31:34,027 --> 00:31:36,987 Speaker 3: to Cappy because he's playing the stock market with about 581 00:31:36,987 --> 00:31:40,507 Speaker 3: one hundred players within our club, let alone what's offshore. 582 00:31:41,627 --> 00:31:45,387 Speaker 3: So he does a great job. He's such a thinker 583 00:31:45,427 --> 00:31:48,227 Speaker 3: about all this stuff and has plans afoot and me 584 00:31:49,027 --> 00:31:52,587 Speaker 3: and Webb and him often talk about it and we'bb 585 00:31:52,627 --> 00:31:55,867 Speaker 3: and him talk a little bit more detail around it 586 00:31:56,547 --> 00:31:59,707 Speaker 3: and yeah, he's got to handle on it. It's better 587 00:31:59,787 --> 00:32:00,187 Speaker 3: him than me. 588 00:32:00,907 --> 00:32:02,427 Speaker 2: Just before we go to the break, as one of 589 00:32:02,427 --> 00:32:05,227 Speaker 2: the names on his white board Jet Cleary, son of Ivan, 590 00:32:05,307 --> 00:32:06,227 Speaker 2: younger brother of Nathan. 591 00:32:06,627 --> 00:32:08,787 Speaker 3: Look, that's one thing we can be proud about our 592 00:32:08,827 --> 00:32:12,987 Speaker 3: club is we never talk about individuals, as you know 593 00:32:13,107 --> 00:32:18,347 Speaker 3: from this week, but jeez, it'd be it could be 594 00:32:18,427 --> 00:32:20,867 Speaker 3: something if it was, if it was true, but who knows. 595 00:32:21,827 --> 00:32:24,507 Speaker 2: Cameron Georgian Studio for the next fifteen minutes or so 596 00:32:24,547 --> 00:32:26,907 Speaker 2: seventeen away from one back after this on Newstalks, he'd 597 00:32:26,907 --> 00:32:29,987 Speaker 2: be fourteen to one. Cameron George, CEO of the One 598 00:32:30,027 --> 00:32:32,107 Speaker 2: New Zealand Warriors and Studio, whether it's all right question 599 00:32:32,227 --> 00:32:35,187 Speaker 2: through from the CEO of your naming sponsor, One New Zealand, 600 00:32:35,267 --> 00:32:38,987 Speaker 2: Jason Paris. You'll be familiar with Jason Paris legend right, 601 00:32:39,187 --> 00:32:42,627 Speaker 2: here's this question. Will you commit to hosting a sponsor's 602 00:32:42,667 --> 00:32:44,867 Speaker 2: trip if the team gets chosen to play in Vegas? 603 00:32:45,627 --> 00:32:52,267 Speaker 3: Absolutely? Guaranteed, Absolutely, as long as he wears his Warriors' 604 00:32:52,267 --> 00:32:55,387 Speaker 3: shoes that he's got, and I hope he tweets a 605 00:32:55,387 --> 00:32:58,707 Speaker 3: picture of him now because they are the craziest pair 606 00:32:58,707 --> 00:33:00,747 Speaker 3: of shoes. I love them. I getting a pair. I'm 607 00:33:00,787 --> 00:33:02,787 Speaker 3: just waiting for him to arrive. But if he wears em, 608 00:33:03,507 --> 00:33:06,147 Speaker 3: he's guaranteed a front seat on the plane. 609 00:33:06,507 --> 00:33:07,787 Speaker 2: Would you like to go to Vegas? 610 00:33:08,267 --> 00:33:11,787 Speaker 3: I think it'll be a good experience. Look, it's just 611 00:33:11,907 --> 00:33:15,747 Speaker 3: us playing our part in the NRL growth and every 612 00:33:15,747 --> 00:33:17,907 Speaker 3: club is going to have to do it, whether they 613 00:33:17,987 --> 00:33:20,347 Speaker 3: think we're they're right fit for year two or they 614 00:33:20,347 --> 00:33:22,427 Speaker 3: want to keep us back for later in the in 615 00:33:22,547 --> 00:33:26,187 Speaker 3: the process, because we're going to bring a whole new 616 00:33:26,187 --> 00:33:30,267 Speaker 3: crowd to the game our games over there. But it's 617 00:33:30,587 --> 00:33:32,667 Speaker 3: we're just going to be and play our part as 618 00:33:32,707 --> 00:33:35,027 Speaker 3: part of the strategy growth strategy for the NRL, and 619 00:33:35,427 --> 00:33:37,187 Speaker 3: every team's on board to do it. 620 00:33:38,107 --> 00:33:39,827 Speaker 2: Text three. I we'll just read out to your Pontywith 621 00:33:39,867 --> 00:33:41,667 Speaker 2: management of that quality at the top of the wiriors, 622 00:33:41,707 --> 00:33:44,347 Speaker 2: it's no wonder they're successful. Yeah. Look, I couldn't agree more, 623 00:33:44,347 --> 00:33:48,187 Speaker 2: but I don't. Yeah, she always listens and my parents 624 00:33:48,227 --> 00:33:52,067 Speaker 2: are the same. Great question here, It's obvious Cam has 625 00:33:52,067 --> 00:33:54,787 Speaker 2: a passion for the club. Is it worth asking, you know, well, 626 00:33:54,867 --> 00:33:57,627 Speaker 2: what went wrong for so many years? Maybe not, I'm 627 00:33:57,667 --> 00:33:59,707 Speaker 2: going to ask it I have Should we have been 628 00:33:59,747 --> 00:34:01,467 Speaker 2: where we are now five years ago? 629 00:34:01,827 --> 00:34:05,467 Speaker 3: Well, that was the intention. In twenty and twenty we 630 00:34:05,507 --> 00:34:07,867 Speaker 3: had an NRL W team which we bring him back. 631 00:34:07,867 --> 00:34:11,227 Speaker 3: In twenty five we had an SG ball team. We 632 00:34:11,307 --> 00:34:15,507 Speaker 3: started building the pathways that underpin NRL success. So that 633 00:34:15,627 --> 00:34:19,027 Speaker 3: was the intention. Clearly that went by the wayside due 634 00:34:19,067 --> 00:34:23,507 Speaker 3: to COVID and prior to that, I would say our 635 00:34:23,547 --> 00:34:26,827 Speaker 3: biggest challenges the club was the instability around key role. 636 00:34:26,987 --> 00:34:30,227 Speaker 3: So we had any number of owners up until that stage, 637 00:34:30,547 --> 00:34:34,587 Speaker 3: I think We've been through nine coaches and we've had 638 00:34:34,827 --> 00:34:38,747 Speaker 3: a large shift and change in management and CEOs and 639 00:34:38,747 --> 00:34:41,947 Speaker 3: the likes. But now with Mark Robinson at the Helm 640 00:34:41,987 --> 00:34:43,827 Speaker 3: as our own and one of the most passionate law 641 00:34:43,947 --> 00:34:46,467 Speaker 3: men I've ever ever met, and this club should be 642 00:34:46,827 --> 00:34:49,187 Speaker 3: proud to have. He just wants to do it so hard, 643 00:34:49,347 --> 00:34:51,987 Speaker 3: so bad for New Zealand that he's investing in all 644 00:34:52,027 --> 00:34:55,027 Speaker 3: this stuff. A lot of it's his own pocket money. 645 00:34:55,067 --> 00:34:58,147 Speaker 3: So you know, we as a club managing it as 646 00:34:58,187 --> 00:35:00,227 Speaker 3: best we can, but we're rebuilding it to a point 647 00:35:00,267 --> 00:35:03,347 Speaker 3: where we should have been there probably about yeah, three 648 00:35:03,387 --> 00:35:06,987 Speaker 3: to four years ago is where we we could have 649 00:35:06,987 --> 00:35:10,027 Speaker 3: been where we're at now. But that's happened and we're 650 00:35:10,027 --> 00:35:12,507 Speaker 3: into it now and we're onwards and upwards, and yeah, 651 00:35:12,507 --> 00:35:13,587 Speaker 3: we're looking forward to the future. 652 00:35:13,787 --> 00:35:15,787 Speaker 2: Yeah, speaking of the future, next year, your women's site 653 00:35:15,907 --> 00:35:19,107 Speaker 2: returns to the NRLW a five year absence obviously COVID 654 00:35:19,107 --> 00:35:22,347 Speaker 2: and there expanded twelve team competition. How big a boost 655 00:35:22,427 --> 00:35:23,347 Speaker 2: is having the women's team bag. 656 00:35:23,387 --> 00:35:27,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's awesome, really excited about that. We've got Nadan Conlin, 657 00:35:27,547 --> 00:35:30,547 Speaker 3: she's our boss of the women's space. She's a legend 658 00:35:30,747 --> 00:35:34,307 Speaker 3: and she's done a great job at New Zealand Rugby 659 00:35:34,347 --> 00:35:37,427 Speaker 3: League and with us, and yeah, we're very excited about that. 660 00:35:37,667 --> 00:35:40,187 Speaker 3: And it's no different to the guys. You know, we 661 00:35:40,227 --> 00:35:42,107 Speaker 3: want to win the competition. We want to have the 662 00:35:42,187 --> 00:35:44,187 Speaker 3: best players wearing our colors and want to make our 663 00:35:44,227 --> 00:35:46,787 Speaker 3: fans proud, which they will, and we'll be ready to 664 00:35:46,827 --> 00:35:49,747 Speaker 3: win next year. We're not building, we're going to be 665 00:35:49,827 --> 00:35:52,627 Speaker 3: recruiting to win the competition. So very excited about this 666 00:35:52,667 --> 00:35:55,267 Speaker 3: opportunity and hopefully I mean chase the NRL try and 667 00:35:55,267 --> 00:35:58,267 Speaker 3: put on an NRLW Magic Round in Auckland. I feel 668 00:35:58,267 --> 00:36:00,787 Speaker 3: like New Zealand should own it. It's a great market 669 00:36:00,787 --> 00:36:03,467 Speaker 3: for it, so it'd be a great, a really great 670 00:36:05,267 --> 00:36:08,187 Speaker 3: opportunity for the the women's game if we can achieve that. 671 00:36:08,267 --> 00:36:10,347 Speaker 3: So I've been adding for about eighteen months now. 672 00:36:10,467 --> 00:36:12,147 Speaker 2: All right, we'll keep our eyes on that. A couple 673 00:36:12,187 --> 00:36:14,667 Speaker 2: of quick ones to finish. I'm interested in how you 674 00:36:14,707 --> 00:36:17,707 Speaker 2: spend home games. Where do you watch from and do 675 00:36:17,747 --> 00:36:19,227 Speaker 2: you get to watch the game or are you shaking 676 00:36:19,267 --> 00:36:20,147 Speaker 2: too many hands? Yeah? 677 00:36:20,667 --> 00:36:24,467 Speaker 3: I try and do the handshaking and all that sort 678 00:36:24,467 --> 00:36:28,187 Speaker 3: of stuff beforehand, but you know, once the players come 679 00:36:28,227 --> 00:36:30,667 Speaker 3: out to warm up, I'm pretty well. I get sort 680 00:36:30,667 --> 00:36:33,067 Speaker 3: of in the zone a little bit and just want 681 00:36:33,107 --> 00:36:34,947 Speaker 3: to I just want to sit quietly and watch it. 682 00:36:35,027 --> 00:36:38,627 Speaker 3: And you know, because you know, it's a big build 683 00:36:38,667 --> 00:36:41,387 Speaker 3: up any game, like the whole week goes. You get 684 00:36:41,387 --> 00:36:43,347 Speaker 3: over the result of the week before, good or bad, 685 00:36:43,467 --> 00:36:45,107 Speaker 3: and then you start to build up to the week. 686 00:36:45,147 --> 00:36:47,227 Speaker 3: As soon as the team gets known, you're starting to build, 687 00:36:47,267 --> 00:36:50,547 Speaker 3: and you know, by the time you get to kick off, 688 00:36:50,907 --> 00:36:53,267 Speaker 3: you know, you're quite emotionally attached to the outcome, and 689 00:36:53,747 --> 00:36:56,667 Speaker 3: in the outcome does dictate a little bit what your 690 00:36:56,707 --> 00:36:59,507 Speaker 3: next forty eight hours is going to be. Good or bad. 691 00:36:59,507 --> 00:37:01,067 Speaker 3: We're we're going to cop it from you, Blakes, or 692 00:37:01,947 --> 00:37:04,027 Speaker 3: all of a sudden you're on our bandwagon. I don't know, 693 00:37:04,027 --> 00:37:07,707 Speaker 3: I'll get confused. But I like the guys that stick 694 00:37:07,787 --> 00:37:09,347 Speaker 3: solid through thick and thin. 695 00:37:09,907 --> 00:37:11,867 Speaker 2: Well there's a few of those, and to be fair, 696 00:37:11,907 --> 00:37:13,947 Speaker 2: there has been a bit of thin. But you know, 697 00:37:14,307 --> 00:37:16,387 Speaker 2: I feel like the last couple of seasons have been 698 00:37:16,427 --> 00:37:17,387 Speaker 2: the reward for those. 699 00:37:17,587 --> 00:37:20,067 Speaker 3: I'm only talking about the media, thought you were talking 700 00:37:20,067 --> 00:37:22,307 Speaker 3: about the fans. They stick solid, they do. 701 00:37:22,947 --> 00:37:26,147 Speaker 2: How much did twenty twenty three increase the expectations for 702 00:37:26,187 --> 00:37:27,667 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. It did. 703 00:37:27,747 --> 00:37:30,107 Speaker 3: It gave us a base level that I feel like 704 00:37:30,467 --> 00:37:34,667 Speaker 3: is appropriately set for our fans and us to understand 705 00:37:34,747 --> 00:37:37,267 Speaker 3: that's what we need to be every week and need 706 00:37:37,307 --> 00:37:39,147 Speaker 3: to be better than that year on year out, and 707 00:37:39,187 --> 00:37:43,827 Speaker 3: we recruiter on the back of that, and we we're 708 00:37:43,867 --> 00:37:47,667 Speaker 3: ambitious on the back of that. But our base level 709 00:37:47,707 --> 00:37:52,747 Speaker 3: has really improved a threshold now that I think our 710 00:37:52,787 --> 00:37:55,187 Speaker 3: fans know when they're coming through the gates of buying 711 00:37:55,227 --> 00:37:58,387 Speaker 3: tickets or turning the TVs on through Sky Sport, that 712 00:37:59,027 --> 00:38:00,387 Speaker 3: they're going to watch a team they're going to be 713 00:38:00,387 --> 00:38:04,747 Speaker 3: proud about. And that's something that Webby's passionate about. Tahu Harris, 714 00:38:04,747 --> 00:38:07,307 Speaker 3: one of our greatest leaders, is passionate amongst all of 715 00:38:07,307 --> 00:38:12,347 Speaker 3: his playing group, and I am, and yeah, I'm excited 716 00:38:12,387 --> 00:38:14,627 Speaker 3: about what the future holds. Can you win the comp 717 00:38:15,147 --> 00:38:17,907 Speaker 3: without a doubt? That's our plan. You know, we don't 718 00:38:17,907 --> 00:38:19,987 Speaker 3: go into any footy game without wanting to win. We 719 00:38:20,027 --> 00:38:21,907 Speaker 3: don't go into any season without wanting to win the 720 00:38:21,907 --> 00:38:24,467 Speaker 3: Grand Final. But there are steps along the way you 721 00:38:24,547 --> 00:38:26,907 Speaker 3: got to You got to achieve to get there, and 722 00:38:27,827 --> 00:38:31,027 Speaker 3: the first step for us is being consistently good. Second 723 00:38:31,067 --> 00:38:33,707 Speaker 3: step is getting the finals and then don't hold back 724 00:38:33,747 --> 00:38:35,827 Speaker 3: thereafter and then we can have a beer. 725 00:38:35,907 --> 00:38:38,427 Speaker 2: Yeah, mate, just tell me we're to be and at 726 00:38:38,467 --> 00:38:40,467 Speaker 2: what time. If you put the invitation out to the 727 00:38:40,467 --> 00:38:43,307 Speaker 2: Warriors fan base, you might have an empty wallet at 728 00:38:43,307 --> 00:38:44,547 Speaker 2: the end of it. Great to see you, mate, Thanks 729 00:38:44,587 --> 00:38:46,347 Speaker 2: for coming in. We've had so much feedback on text 730 00:38:46,387 --> 00:38:48,467 Speaker 2: about how good it's been to heavy here for an 731 00:38:48,467 --> 00:38:51,547 Speaker 2: hour or so. All we can do is wish you 732 00:38:51,587 --> 00:38:52,867 Speaker 2: all the best for twenty twenty four and. 733 00:38:52,827 --> 00:38:55,267 Speaker 3: Beyond appreciate it, mate, And I just want to shout 734 00:38:55,267 --> 00:38:57,867 Speaker 3: out to all of our fans. I know it's been 735 00:38:57,907 --> 00:39:00,587 Speaker 3: tough going and we haven't got one hundred percent right yet, 736 00:39:00,627 --> 00:39:04,147 Speaker 3: but with the support of everyone around this country, we 737 00:39:04,307 --> 00:39:05,947 Speaker 3: just want to make New Zealand proud and that comes 738 00:39:05,947 --> 00:39:07,787 Speaker 3: from the know right through to me and we'bbe in 739 00:39:07,827 --> 00:39:11,147 Speaker 3: the in the Torarrison team. So stick on and let's 740 00:39:11,147 --> 00:39:12,827 Speaker 3: go to anzac Dare. It's going to be a special 741 00:39:12,907 --> 00:39:15,307 Speaker 3: day at go Media Stadium against the Titans. 742 00:39:15,347 --> 00:39:17,027 Speaker 2: Great to see me, mate, Thanks for pulling in. Thanks 743 00:39:17,307 --> 00:39:19,987 Speaker 2: Cameron George one, New Zealand Warriors CEO. Great pleasure to 744 00:39:19,987 --> 00:39:21,867 Speaker 2: have him in studio with us for the entire hour 745 00:39:21,947 --> 00:39:22,427 Speaker 2: seven to one 746 00:39:22,467 --> 00:39:26,187 Speaker 1: News Talks EP for more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, 747 00:39:26,347 --> 00:39:29,947 Speaker 1: Listen live to News Talks edb weekends from midday, or 748 00:39:30,027 --> 00:39:31,987 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio