If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Wallabies player Scott Fardy will be feeling pretty flattered as he faces the All Blacks at this weekend's Rugby World Cup grand final.
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Half a world away, in a Kingston bar the back-rower co-owns, an eager crowd will be looking at – and looking like – Fardy as he takes to the field in Australia's most important rugby union match since 1999.
Everyone attending the early-morning screening of the game at The Dock on Sunday will need to pass a strict dress code: real or fake beards and a yellow jersey to create patrons' best depiction of the star player.
Headgear and fake blood are a bonus, referencing Fardy's much-publicised head wounds during the run of Rugby World Cup games so far.
The Dock is one of a handful of Canberra bars and clubs embracing the time-zone challenge and opening for the grand final, due to kick off at 3am local time on Sunday.
The true believers and diehard rugby fans will be out in force while the rest of the city is fast asleep, though the time difference between Twickenham and Australia's east coast has caused issues beyond the expected bleary eyes to licensed venues.
Licensing and closing times mean many sportst clubs will show only the first hour of the game, before having to shut at 4am, with some to stop serving alcohol before kick-off.
Those that stay open for the whole match have been swamped with booking requests, with some already sold out for the night.
The Dock co-owner and Wallabies veteran Ben Alexander said their bar had sought and received a one-day exemption to extend its opening hours.
He said the bar was obliged to screen the game live, given Fardy's part-ownership of the business.
"All the Brumbies guys, all the team have done us proud and we want to make sure they feel the love going into the game," he said.
"It's a once-in-a-decade opportunity with Fards being one of the team and being a co-owner here."
Alexander will be watching from Brisbane, after he takes on Brisbane City as part of the Vikings squad on Saturday.
He said he was confident about Australia's chances against the New Zealanders.
"They've been battling away and they're battle hard and they're good to go," he said.
"It's a World Cup final, it's what you dream of playing and the boys are doing us all very proud, so I can't wait to support them."
The game will be broadcast live on GEM and WIN from 2.15am on Sunday, then replayed at noon on GEM.
Where to see the game in full
- King O'Malleys: 131 City Walk, Civic
- The Dock, 7/81 Giles Street, Kingston
- The Duxton, corner of Sargood and Macpherson streets, O'Connor
- ACT Rugby Union Club, 54 McCaughey Street, Turner
Where to see the start of the game
- The Tradies, 2 Badham Street, Dickson
- Raiders Gungahlin, 23 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin