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SCMP Reporter

WHAT THE EXPECTS SAY

Alvin Sallay,

the Post ?s Chief Sports Reporter: ?The two semi-finals will be between England and France and New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand will beat England in the final. They are more used to playing on hard surfaces and are peaking at the right time. The score: 24-18.?

Chris Roden,

HK Sevens and 15s coach: ?I think the semis will be Australia vs New Zealand and France vs England. I think New Zealand and France will get though and that New Zealand will win. They have the best back line, although I am a little concerned about the forwards. Score: 29-15.?

John Molloy,

chairman of the Hong Kong RFU: ?The semis will be between England and France and New Zealand and Australia. My heart would go with England for the final but I think New Zealand will win. They will have too much power on the day, particularly in the backs. It?s a gut feeling. I don?t think England travel very well. Final score: 19-13.?

Justin Sampson,

ESPN Star Sports rugby commentator: ?Australia, New Zealand, France and England will make the semis. I think it will be an Australia and England final and that Australia will win. There?s a reason why rugby union, league and Aussie Rules finishes in September ? because it gets too damn hot and the pitches get too hard. That will favour Australia. Final score: 16-9.?

Paul Dingley,

Hong Kong captain: ?The semis will be England, France, New Zealand and Australia, if everything goes according to the form book. The final should be New Zealand and England and I think New Zealand will win. They are more used to playing on the hard ground of Australia. I think they have players with pace to burn and are the team that can create scoring chances out of nothing. That will give them the edge. Final score: 17-12.?

Shane Howarth,

ESPN Star Sports commentator, said: ?It will be France and England and Australia and New Zealand in the semis. I think England and New Zealand will make the final and it will be a nail-biter. If the Kiwis can get the ball out wide they will be very hard to contain. New Zealand to win: 27-25.?

Peter Duncan,

Chairman of selectors for the HK team: ?New Zealand and England I think are definites for the semis. I think the others will be Australia and Ireland. New Zealand and England will make the final and I think New Zealand will win comfortably. The ground is going to be pretty hard. The English forwards are going to be formidable but I think New Zealand can win with 40 per cent of possession. Final score: 23-13.?

THE WEBB ELLIS CUP

Named after William Webb Ellis, a student of Rugby School, England, who is said to have originated the game of rugby in 1823 when he picked up a soccer ball and ran with it

Commissioned for the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, ?Bill? has been won by Australia in 1991 and 1999, New Zealand in 1987 and South Africa in 1995

WETTING THE WHISTLE

Armchair fans are seldom content to stay at home when a World Cup starts, so here?s a choice of watering holes that say they?ll be showing all the action. Call beforehand to make sure matches are being screened. Bottoms up!

LAN KWAI FONG

C Bar

G/F 30-32 D?Aguilar St. Tel 2530 3695. HH Mon-Sat 5-9pm, Sun 2-10pm

California Restaurant

G/F 30-32 D?Aguilar St. Tel 2521 1345 HH 5-10pm

Hardy?s Folk Club

G/F 35 D?Aguilar St. Tel 2522 4448 HH 5-9pm daily

Whiskey Priest

G/1F 12 Lan Kwai Fong Tel 2869 0099 HH Tue-Sat 4-9pm, Fri-Sat 1-3am, Sun 12-9pm

CENTRAL/MID-LEVELS

Caledonia

G/F Hutchison Hse, Tel 2524 1314 HH Mon-Sat 3-8pm

The Dublin Jack

37-43 Cochrane St,

Tel 2543 0081

HH 11am-9pm

The Globe

39 Hollywood Rd Tel 2543 1941 HH Mon-Sat 5-8pm, 12-1am, Sun all day

ADMIRALTY

New LA Cafe

G/F Far East Finance Centre

Tel 2528 2923 HH Mon-Fri 2.30-8.30pm, Sat/Sun daily

WAN CHAI

The Bridge

G/F 107 Lockhart Rd Tel 2865 5586 HH 12-10pm

Carnegie?s

G/F 53-55 Lockhart Rd Tel 2866 6289 HH 11am-9pm Crazy hrs

6-7pm

Delaney?s

G-1/F One Capital Place Tel 2804 2880 HH 5-9pm

Devil?s Advocate

G/F 48-50 Lockhart Rd Tel 2865 7271 HH 12-10pm

Skitz Sports Bar

18 Fenwick St Tel: 2866 3275

The White Stag

G/F 54-62 Lockhart Rd Tel 2866 4244 HH 12-10pm

CAUSEWAY BAY

Beer Garden & Innside out

10 Hysan Ave Tel 2895 2900 HH 2.30-8.30pm

Dickens Bar

Basement, The Excelsior Hotel Tel 2837 6782. HH

Mon-Fri 2-8pm,

Sat-Sun

11am-8pm

Outback Steakhouse

2/F JP Plaza Tel 2881 8012 HH Mon-Fri 5-7.30pm

HAPPY VALLEY

The Chapel

27 Yik Yam St Tel 2834 6565 HH 4.30-9pm

TSIM SHA TSUI

Delaney?s

71-77 Peking Rd Tel 2301 3980 HH

5-9pm

Someplace Else

Sheraton Hotel Tel 2721 6151 HH 4-8pm

The Stag?s Head

11 Hart Ave Tel 2369 3142 HH 3-10pm

QUARRY BAY

East End Brewery

23-27 Tong Chong St Tel 2811 1907 HH 4-8pm

Thai Orchids

39 Tong Chong St Tel 2856 9848 HH 4-9pm

SAI KUNG

Duke of York Pub

G/F 42-56 Fuk Man Rd

Tel 2792 8435 HH 11am-9pm

Steamers

G/F A2-3 Chan Man St Tel 2792 6991 HH Mon-Fri 2-9pm, Sun

5-8pm

LAMMA

Diesel Sports Bar

G/F 51 Main St, Yung Shue Wan Tel 2982 4116 HH 6-9pm

The Fountain Head

18 Main St, Yung Shue Wan

Tel 2982 2118 HH All day

Mon-Fri



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