- Two football fans have already signed ‘Champions 2024 Warriors’
- Part of The Edge Breakfast show’s bold radio promotion
- The New Zealand Warriors are yet to win an NRL premiership
Two die-hard New Zealand football fans have boldly chosen to get ‘Champions 2024 Warriors’ tattoos to permanently show their support for Andrew Webster’s NRL team.
Local musician Mitch James was a little more cautious and opted for ‘Champions 202 Warriors’ above his ankle, meaning the Wahs have until 2029 to earn a premiership before their new ink looks a little silly.
It was part of a cheeky radio promotion for The Edge Breakfast, and response from listeners was mixed.
“People always get ahead of themselves when it comes to the Warriors, they always fail when it matters most,” one “supporter” posted.
Another stated: “Thank you, now you have cursed us.”
Two New Zealand football fans (including Hayley Young, left) have boldly chosen to get ‘Champions 2024 Warriors’ tattoos to permanently show their support for Andrew Webster’s NRL team.
Local musician Mitch James opted for ‘Champions 202 Warriors’ above his ankle, meaning the Wahs have until 2029 to earn a premiership before their new ink looks a little silly.
Warriors fans and crazy tattoos seem to go hand in hand – last year, betting agency TAB NZ offered fanatical fans a constant reminder that the Warriors could achieve NRL premiership glory.
As part of the promotion, a temporary “salon” was set up in an Auckland shopping centre, where fans had the opportunity to get a mystery tattoo.
Those brave enough had no say in the selection of ink; They simply stuck their arm through a hole and let the artist, Leroy Roberts, work on a design they couldn’t see until it was finished.
A TAB NZ spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia at the time that the designs included a Warriors Tiki logo, the Warriors logo with a fern, the popular ‘Up The Wahs’ shout, Warriors Est 95 and two Tiki Player hybrids /League.
This pop-up tattoo parlor in Auckland last year gave Warriors fans the chance to get a free, permanent design on their arm ahead of the NRL finals.
Those brave enough had no say in the ink selection: they simply stuck their arm through the hole and let the artist get to work (pictured, one of the finished designs).
Dragons’ Mikaele Ravalawa celebrates with his teammates after scoring a try during the club’s big win over the Warriors.
Unfortunately for the newly tattooed duo, the Warriors suffered a shock defeat to the St. George Illawarra Dragons overnight, slightly denting their premiership aspirations.
Zac Lomax began his farewell tour of St George Illawarra in style, starring for the Dragons in a surprise 30-12 NRL victory over the Warriors.
Days after finalizing a four-year contract with Parramatta for 2025 and beyond, Lomax was in good contact with the Dragons on Friday after being moved back into the centers for the first time this season.
Lomax, used primarily as a winger by Shane Flanagan until this week, scored a try, a two-point field goal from 42 meters and added four goals.
The victory was hailed by Flanagan as the most measured of his tenure so far, with the Dragons holding off an early Warriors attack at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium before responding in style.
“Without a doubt (it was our) most complete performance – we only lasted 80 minutes,” Flanagan said.
“I was pleased with how we held firm.
“It was just about confidence, we turned them away constantly and Zac kicked the two-point field goal… overall it was our best performance in 80 minutes.”