Fan gets tattoo of All Blacks captain McCaw (+video)

Rotorua tattooist Trinity Ropiha works on a tattoo of Richie McCaw on Graham Pink's arm. Photo/Stephen Parker

One of Richie McCaw's biggest fans has gone to an extreme ahead of the Rugby World Cup - getting the All Black captain's face tattooed on his forearm.

Darwin-based Graham Pink, 61, had the tattoo done yesterday during a trip home to Rotorua.

Mr Pink said he had been considering getting a portrait done of McCaw for a while.

"I've been thinking about it for a few months," he said. "I thought why not get one of Richie McCaw as he's a bit of my idol.

"He is a great All Blacks captain. I could go back to the '60s and '70s [for other great players and captains] but there is something about McCaw.

"He is just a great captain and I like the manner in which he plays."

Mr Pink has "nine or 10" tattoos already and has made it a custom to get a new tattoo every time he visits his mother in Rotorua.

"I came home for my mum's 95th birthday. I grew up here and played my rugby here in the old days with St Michael's."

Mr Pink explained he chose the forearm to get the tattoo as it was a flat part of the body which suited portraits.

Mr Pink has been living and working in Australia for the best part of 40 years and said he often copped it from staunch Aussie supporters. However, he said he had no problem giving as good as he received.

Local tattoo artist Trinity Ropiha spent about four hours working on the portrait yesterday at Red Cherry Ink on Pukuatua St.

He said it took a few days to choose the right photo of McCaw to replicate. "I think it's the first Richie McCaw tattoo. We had a good look online and couldn't find anything like it."

He said he had done a lot of portraits during his 11 years as a tattoo artist, mainly of family members, but had never done one of a famous sports person before yesterday.

Mr Pink was flying back to Australia today with his daughter and grandson.

The completed tattoo Photo/Stephen Parker