Karl Tily was able to chose where his Warriors tattoo would go - but not what it would be. Photo: Supplied
A Warriors "super fan" says he wanted to show his faith after he lined up with several others to receive a mystery club-themed tattoo on Thursday.
A group of club disciples lined up at Auckland's Sylvia Park where they were permanently inked with a Warriors themed design.
The catch however was only tattooist Leroy Roberts knew how he would mark each fan, putting the faith and loyalty of adventurous supporters to the test.
It comes amid heightened fanfare around the country on the eve of the Auckland-based club's return to the NRL playoffs, following their most successful regular season in more than 20 years.
Wellington's Karl Tily told Morning Report he also had faith in the tattooist.
Karl Tily gets his mystery tattoo. Photo: Supplied
"We knew it was Warriors related, and I knew the tiki would be involved," he said.
"We then left the rest up to Leroy.
"We could all choose where it was and the positioning.
"Leroy is so good that I personally had no issues with what was going to happen."
A total of eight fans took the plunge by getting tattooed
Tily received a design on his inner bicep, depicting a tiki-headed league player scoring a try.
He said the process took about 40 minutes.
"It was one way I could show some faith and hopefully give the boys a bit of a gee up ahead of the weekend."
The term "Up the Wahs" has etched itself into New Zealand's sporting and cultural lexicon in recent weeks.
Even the club's longtime major sponsor One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone) has used the catchcry at the top if its cellular devices.
The Warriors face minor premiers Penrith Panthers in Saturday night's qualifying final at Penrith's BlueBet Stadium, albeit without star halfback Shaun Johnson who has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Tily admitted losing Johnson was concerning, but there was "enough flair on attack to give things a good shake-up".
The winner will automatically secure a preliminary final spot.
Should the Warriors lose, it will send them to a knockout semi-final in Auckland next weekend, against Newcastle or Canberra.
The Ivan Cleary-coached Panthers are bidding to become the first club in 40 years to clinch a competition three-peat.
The Warriors have played in two NRL Grand Finals but have never won a premiership.
