Rugby: Arriane Christie a sign-making super fan

Dedicated Northland supporter Arriane Christie holds one of her many signs at a Northland Mitre 10 Cup match. Jason Milich/Action Images Northland

If you've seen a Northland game over the past few years it's highly likely you've seen one of the many signs made by huge Taniwha fan Arriane Christie.

Christie and her partner William Morunga have had season tickets with Northland since 2011, attending every home game and two or three away matches a year following the side.

They'll be down in the capital, new sign in tow, for Northland's Mitre 10 Cup semifinal against Wellington.

She said it was a love that started during her younger years.

"While I was at high school I remember asking my mum for a Northland rugby jersey for my birthday which is a bit unusual I suppose but I've always supported them," she said.

"When I was away at University I didn't get to go to as many as I would have liked but my partner and I have had season tickets since 2011 so that's about 35 or so home games, plus we get out to two or three away games.

"I went to a match in Otago while I was at university in Christchurch which was as far south as I've gotten following them.

"We had a promotion/relegation game while I was at uni against Nelson Bays. It was during study week and I drove out to Nelson to watch the match and then drove back on the same day."

Christie got as far as Rotorua last season as she went on a day trip to watch Northland go down 50-25 Bay of Plenty.

A common theme of her attendance are her well-crafted signs that can always be seen amongst the Northland fans.

Catch cries such as "Ranger Danger", "Let's Blue This" and "Go With The Alaimalo Flow" have been captured on perfectly-printed signs.

Christie said she was making sure they were not the same each time

"I try to make different signs for each game. I like to back one of the players when someone's been going well that year," she said.

"It's great because the players do appreciate it. When they see it they tell me 'it's really cool'."

Christie has backed the side through the highs and the lows but always makes sure she is there in passionate support.

She said her love of the province goes deeper than national pride.

"I'm really proud of being from Northland, that's why William and I get in behind them so much. The team itself have always been the underdogs and I've always said I'd support Northland over the All Blacks if they ever played against each other," she said.

"The team has their own style and it's really fun to watch. It can be frustrating at times but we always want to go back.

"You can see there has been a change of culture. You see it on the field, they want to play for each other. That's been the biggest thing. But you see them all on social media them all hanging out together and enjoying themselves."

Christie knows the odds are against the Taniwha. Wellington have been a classy team all season long and present a huge challenge for the Cambridge Blue-clad side.

But that won't stop her optimism.

"It would be an upset if we beat them but we know them now. We've seen them before and know what to look for. Maybe the weather will go in our favour.

"But I'll always back Northland to win."