MONTPELLIER - Australians like to think of themselves as big drinkers who can handle their beer, especially at the footy.
Wallabies supporters believed they enhanced that reputation at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday ... that was until they discovered none of the beers contained a drop of
alcohol.
Thousands of Australian fans were caught out in Lyon where they cheered the Wallabies on to a 91-3 thrashing of Japan in their opening match.
Under French law, no alcohol can be served inside sporting stadiums.
The closest fans can come to drinking at the Cup games in France is 500m outside the venue, officially termed the exclusion zone.
Determined attempts by the International Rugby Board for an exemption failed and the only "ale" sold is the non-alcoholic Amstel Free.
Paris-based Sydneysider Mieka White and fellow Australian Stuart Spiers were among many baffled to find only Australians and New Zealanders lining up for beers at the Stade de Gerland's canteens.
"We were wondering why no one around us was drinking," Mieka said.
"It was just us and I thought 'these French are so conservative'.
"It wasn't until the end of the match that we realised, because we started with a bit of a buzz after having a drink beforehand.
"We had one each in the first half and four beers between us in the second half and when the game ended we were sober!"
As fans were coming to terms with the dry World Cup, Wallabies duo Matt Dunning and Lote Tuqiri were allowed to break their midnight curfew to have a few late-night drinks.
With brewer Heineken as a major sponsor, the IRB fought long and hard for a special Government exemption to allow beer at the grounds.
"Unfortunately we have to abide by French Government law," IRB communications manager Greg Thomas said.
But Wallabies fans with tickets for Sunday's crunch pool match against Wales can breathe easy ... the game is being played in Cardiff where the restrictions don't apply.
- AAP
