All Blacks fan predicts Rugby World Cup triumph in a tattoo
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The All Blacks perform the Haka prior to the Rugby World Cup pool match against Uruguay.
PHOTO: AFP
WELLINGTON – An All Blacks fan is so confident that New Zealand will win the Rugby World Cup that she had it tattooed on her leg before their semi-final against Argentina on Friday.
Emily McDonald from Wellington has had “NZ 2023” inked inside an outline of the William Webb Ellis trophy – the Rugby World Cup – on her thigh.
Following New Zealand’s thrilling 28-24 win over Ireland in the quarter-finals, she was so certain the All Blacks would lift the Cup that she got the tattoo on Thursday, and said she was inspired by watching her heroes repel waves and waves of Irish attacks.
“I was on a bit of a buzz when it finished because it was a very intense last 10 minutes,” she told TVNZ on Friday.
“I told my dad that if we win, I would get the Rugby World Cup tattooed on in celebration.”
McDonald said that a friend suggested she took it a step further by predicting the tournament’s outcome in ink, and that was what she did.
So strong is her faith in the men in black that she has no regrets and stands 100 per cent behind her team.
“Definitely – I have a lot of faith in the boys and I doubt they will let us down,” she added.
However, should New Zealand fail to add a fourth World Cup title to their 1987, 2011 and 2015 triumphs, McDonald has a plan.
“Either I leave it because it’s really funny or my tattoo artist has said that he can cross out the date for free – and I’ll just change it to the next year that we win,” she said.
She is also not worried that her tattoo might jinx the All Blacks in France.
“A lot of people have told me that, but then I guess you could also say that if we win, then it’s because of me as well.”
The die-hard fan gave a bullish prediction of the score for Friday’s semi-final – the result was not available at press time.
“50-0. To us,” she said.
In the Paris final on Oct 28, McDonald predicted a 24-14 win for New Zealand over old foes South Africa.
She is, however, not the first All Blacks fan to ink a prediction of a World Cup triumph.
Four years ago, supporter Shaun Pollard had a tattoo done in anticipation of winning the 2019 tournament in Japan – only for New Zealand to later lose their semi-final against England. AFP
