Shaun Pollard won’t be making any changes to his tattoo despite his predictions proving false. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
GIANINA SCHWANECKE
Shaun Pollard has no regrets about his presumptuous tattoo despite his predictions proving false after the All Blacks’ devastating loss to England on Saturday night.
The Carterton man made international headlines after he got a tattoo of the Webb Ellis Cup marked up with a predicted All Blacks 2019 win alongside the 1987, 2011 and 2015 victories
Pollard said he felt fine yesterday despite the All Blacks having lost 19-7 to England the night before.
He had been watching the game at the Lake Ferry Hotel.
“It was a packed house down there, so it was really good,” he said.
“It was mixed emotions – there were people there wanting England to win and others wanting the All Blacks to win.”
He was confident of an All Blacks win right up until the last quarter of the game.
“It’s an 80-minute game. At half time I wasn’t worried, but you get to the 60- or 70-minute mark and I realised this might not happen.”
He said the best team on the night won though and he was still happy for England.
Messages from people telling him to get the tattoo removed or lasered had been flooding in, but Pollard was holding his ground.
“I’m never going to change my tattoo. It’s going to stand.”
He wouldn’t be making any alterations either.
“I’ll just leave it as is.
“There’s no point changing something millions of people have shared their views on.
“I’ve just done something that a loyal fan would do – I’m rugby crazy, I’m All Blacks crazy.”
He had been surprised by the amount of attention his tattoo received – yesterday he fielded calls from the BBC and a South African based rugby magazine about it.
Asked about his predictions for the finals, Pollard said he would love to see Wales take on England.
At time of publication, last night’s match had not begun.
“I’d love to see Wales in the final – it would be good for them,” he said.
He said he was also looking forward to watching New Zealand battle it out for third place next Friday against last night’s loser.
