Counterattack

The scantily clad women known as beer wenches who have brought a touch of Aussie class to the World Cup have run foul of authorities.

The New South Wales state Government believes the phenomenon encourages drunken behaviour.

The women act as bar runners during games, enabling patrons to remain in their seats and watch the sporting action.

State Gaming Minister Grant McBridge said he was concerned that the practice of employing wenches - typically at A$65 ($75) an hour - sent the wrong message, associating sports with alcohol abuse. "I'm convinced patrons are more likely to have too much to drink if they don't have to leave their seats," he said Murray Schultz, founder of the Beerwench company, said beer wenches fulfilled an important function. "If it becomes someone's shout and it's 10 minutes to go, they get furious and they would rather get someone else to go and do it for them," he said.

Another company, Sex Bomb Promotions, said staff were all trained in the responsible service of alcohol. "If a group of guys is keen to have a few, they will have a few whether or not the girl goes and gets it for them," said Mandi Brewster, the company's owner.

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Beware: The idea that England starts cup games with a morris dance has taken root.

The Sydney Morris Men are excited. John Milce, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, says his group "will indeed be demonstrating the sacred and arcane art of English morris dancing at Telstra Stadium in the lead-up to the rugby union semi-final clash between the mighty England and the perfidious French." He warns that they will have available the "sharp end of the sticks which form a traditional part of our equipment".

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Sam Neill has agreed to be on a panel for Australia's Channel Seven during the semi-final on Saturday night.

Actor Bryan Brown has been booked to represent Australia. Russell Crowe, who proudly wears the black jersey but at a pinch - transtasman connections, born in Auckland, raised across the ditch - could have done both jobs but didn't figure in the arrangements.

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Olympics supremo Jacques Rogge is heading to Sydney for the World Cup final though rugby hasn't been an Olympic sport for decades. (Trivia question: which country is the defending Olympic champion? Answer: USA, the 1924 champions.)

There is a move to have rugby sevens included in the programme. But the inclusion of rugby - be it the sevens or 15-a-side form - means another event gets scratched.

But Rogge still might look fondly on the push for the game they play in heaven to become once more part of the Olympic family: Rogge turned out in 10 matches for Belgium.

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A little piece of Sydney is temporarily becoming New Zealand. The University of New South Wales' Roundhouse in Randwick is being renamed the Steinlager Bar for the next fortnight. Fans can watch the rugby and enjoy the music of Jenny Morris and the Exponents this weekend and Dave Dobbyn and Hello Sailor on World Cup final weekend.

- AGENCIES

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