EXCLUSIVE: New Zealand Warriors fans get tattooed in the wildest footy promotion the NRL has EVER seen as their team chases finals glory

Footy fans in New Zealand are firmly behind one of the wildest footy promotions the NRL has ever seen as the final approaches.

Bet TAB NZ provided a lasting reminder to fanatical supporters that the Warriors could go all out in 2023.

As part of the promotion, a temporary ‘salon’ was set up in a shopping center in Auckland, where tough fans were given the opportunity to get a mysterious tattoo.

Those brave enough were not given a say in the choice of ink – they simply stuck their arm through a hole and let the artist – Leroy Roberts – work on a design that they could not see until it was completed.

A TAB NZ spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the designs include a Warriors Tiki logo, the Warriors logo with a fern, the popular slogan Up The Wahs, Warriors Est 95 and two Tiki/League player hybrids.

Those brave enough were not given a say in the choice of ink – they simply stuck their arm through the hole and let the artist get to work (photo, one of the finished designs)

It was also confirmed that eight Warriors supporters made Roberts work his magic.

While the tattoos were free to those who dared to try, the promotion stated that they were targeting “die-hard and somewhat unhinged” Warriors fans, who were urged to “ink responsibly.”

It follows a sensational season for the Warriors in the NRL.

Andrew Webster’s men finished the home and away season in fourth place and will play semi-final football for the first time since 2018.

They face a tough assignment in the form of minor premiers Penrith at Sydney’s western BlueBet Stadium on Saturday afternoon – but if they stun Ivan Cleary’s team, they’ll host a preliminary NRL final.

With rugby union being the premier sport in New Zealand, given the continued success of the All Blacks, competition has often been its poorer cousin.

After an impressive season, the Warriors play footy in the NRL finals for the first time since 2018 (pictured, halfback Shaun Johnson)

But the Warriors have changed their minds in recent months, with “Up The Wahs” becoming a slogan that has swept the nation.

Where the term comes from is mysterious, but many online refer to halfback Shaun Johnson, whose performances in 2023 were thrilling.

Johnson is believed to have used the term before when passing on social media.

The slogan can also be seen on supermarket signs across the country and on beer cans manufactured by Good George Brewing.

It was even spoken by former Warriors turned Bronco’s young gun Reece Walsh and teammate Ezra Mam after a recent NRL game against the Cowboys.