Where to Watch the Rugby World Cup Final in Beijing, Oct 31

Got your outfit all set for Saturday night? Picked your party venue? All ready for a night of ghoulish howling, tricks, and treats? Then ignore all the Halloween revelers and head out the door to watch the Rugby World Cup final at midnight, Saturday (Oct 31), featuring Australia Wallabies vs. New Zealand All Blacks.

New Zealand are the holders (meaning they won the previous World Cup in 2011), and the two teams will meet in London's Twickenham Stadium. Rugby fans in China rejoice: the next World Cup will be held in Japan in 2019.

This is the second consecutive sporting World Cup where these two nations are facing each other: Australia defeated New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup earlier this year. New Zealand will be looking to even the score, haka and all. Watch the final at any of these fine venues:

Plan B: The only venue we know of so far that is foregoing Halloween entirely in favor of rugby, Shuangjing's Plan B is offering RMB 50 pitchers of Tiger and RMB 100 pitchers of Canadian Club and ginger ale (Canadian champagne) beginning at 10.30pm. They're also serving a late-night menu featuring ribs and fries for RMB 60, burgers for RMB 60, bread bowls for RMB 60, and nachos for RMB 70.

Paddy O'Shea's: In addition to their usual, multi-screen action, Paddy's will have a bar outside for smokers and open a bar upstairs with a big screen in Ganges for more people to sit. Co-owner/manager Paul is an ex-rugby player, so football/soccer fans, this may not be your night to catch the beautiful game at Beijing's favorite sports bar.

Both Caravan and Cuju will be showing the match, according to proprietor Badr Benjelloun. These are the only venues that may be showing both the rugby and, depending on the schedule, the Major League Baseball World Series.

The Den: The home venue of Beijing Devils, our city's own winning rugby side, the Devils will be there at midnight to watch the match, according to team captain Steve Lynch. "I will be supporting the All Blacks because I will win a sweepstakes," he said.

The Irish Volunteer: This Lido venue is trying to have it both ways, which public face Zach Lewison is calling "Rugbyween." Aside from showing the match and celebrating Halloween, the Irish will volunteer a free Tsingtao to anyone wearing an Australia or New Zealand jersey. They will also be offering RMB 10 shots throughout the game.

One venue wanted us to inform you that they are not showing the match. The Local's Kenn Bermel told us that they love rugby and rugby fans, but that with the crush of Halloween, and The Local's recent loss of the use of its upstairs due to fire regulations, they decided to choose Halloween treats over rugby tricks. Just come by for some Hallows' Eve revelry in your All-Blacks or Wallabies uniform after the game is over, they'll still have food and drink.

More stories by this author here.

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Photo: Rugby Kid