‘It’s not like you see in the movies’: What Warriors’ private jet was really like

NRL finals, week one: Warriors v Panthers. Where: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith. When: Saturday, 6.05pm (NZT). Coverage: Live on Sky Sport 4, Prime; live updates on Stuff

The Warriors’ buildup to their biggest match in more than a decade might have had a bit of movie-like drama to it, but their private jet ride to Sydney was far from those fancy rides that might see on the big screen.

Flying high during this 2023 NRL season, the irony was that, as the club were preparing to release the news on Thursday that none of their fans wanted to hear – that star halfback Shaun Johnson had been ruled out of Saturday evening’s qualifying final against the Penrith Panthers due to a tight calf – the team were also sky high, literally, on their specially-ordered flight across the ditch.

However, while the club forked out reportedly more than four times the cost of a commercial flight to avoid any possible airport delays, park any thoughts that the chartered plane ride meant the squad travelled in luxury fashion, in quick time.

It still took, as scheduled, around four hours from take-off to touch-down on their Embraer E-Jet, while coach Andrew Webster had to laugh during Wednesday’s media session at how overblown their travel plans had been.

“I think the private jet’s got out of control a little bit,” he said.

“It’s not like you see in the movies, I don’t think we’re going to be in recliners, and have big screens, and folding out to beds. I think they’re going to be normal seats, no televisions, probably, bring your own laptop boys, if you want to watch something.

“It’s just about guaranteeing what time we can fly. I think it’s got out of hand, but I’m just really grateful we’re allowed to do it.”

Warriors chief executive Cameron George had noted that the team had experienced travel delays in recent weeks, and that he wanted to do anything in his power to get the smoothest preparation possible, in what is the club’s first finals appearance since 2018, and perhaps best shot at a maiden premiership since 2011, when they last made the grand final.

The Warriors will also travel back from Australia on Saturday in the same fashion, meaning they can leave soon after their match, which kicks off at 4pm local time and ends around 6pm.

Arriving back in Auckland around 20 hours or so earlier than they may otherwise have will be especially helpful should they lose to minor premiers Penrith, giving them a head-start on preparations for a home semifinal against the winners of Sunday’s elimination final between the Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders.