Free pints up for grabs to pull in RWC punters

A publican has promised free pints to punters – if he correctly picks the All Blacks’ first tryscorer in their Rugby World Cup matches.

For every All Blacks game, Fairweathers owner Warren Croft will take his chance at picking who will be the first man in the Black jersey to score a try.

If he is right, everyone in the bar (who would have been stamped or given a wristband on arrival) will get to partake in a $1000 bar tab.

The squad will be announced next week, but given the performances of some All Blacks during the past few tests, Croft already has some favourites.

He rated the chances of Sevu Reece or Richie Mo’unga to score a first try but, ‘‘any of the back line is strong’’.

Fairweathers had 12 large televisions and will stream all 48 games of the World Cup, which runs from September 20 to November 2.

Fairweathers events manager Tineka Smith said it was about creating that lounge experience, but in the bar. ‘‘People don’t really want to go and sit and watch the rugby by themselves, they really enjoy that banter and that bit of extra that they get when they come out and are around other people,’’ Smith said.

Fairweathers would also be serving $8 pints until the first try was scored. ‘‘What we find is that we obviously get All Blacks supporters but then we get different nationalities coming in, so there can be some really good banter between them,’’ Smith said. ‘‘It’s really cool, it’s a great atmosphere and we love it.’’

Last week, the Government said it was adopting legislation to allow bars and clubs to open outside normal licensing hours for Rugby World Cup games.

Justice Minister Andrew Little said a bill would be introduced to amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, to allow eligible licensed premises to stay open to screen live games that fall outside their usual trading hours.

Smith said in the past, Fairweathers had been open until ‘‘stupid o’clock’’ and found themselves serving coffee instead of pints. ‘‘It’s just about making sure we have what people want.’’

With the Rugby World Cup being held in Japan this year, kickoff for the latest games was 11.45pm. However, this did mean some games would not finish until after 1am, which would mean some pubs and clubs would not be licensed to serve alcohol. Rural publican Sarah Markham, who co-owned Rai Valley Tavern, said they would be looking to extend their hours. Out and about on the streets of Blenheim, Mason Campbell and Dannielle Friend said it depended on how they felt on the day.

‘‘At home is convenient, and if it’s winter sometimes you just want to be at home,’’ Friend said. ‘‘But there is also something about a pub atmosphere that makes it quite appealing.’’

Campbell said he preferred to watch at home but after hearing about Fairweathers’ deal he said he might need to venture out. Gordy Cain said he preferred to watch at home. ‘‘Every time they [All Blacks] get a try, I can have a beer then,’’ Cain said. Wayne Johnston said he preferred to be at home. ‘‘I like listening to the commentary which you often can’t hear if you’re at the pub,’’ he said.