The final match between the British & Irish Lions and Australia was halted in Sydney due to severe storms on Saturday. Despite starting in wet conditions, the game was suspended after 40 minutes because of a lightning warning in the area.
A statement from the British & Irish Lions confirmed the suspension due to the lightning alert. An additional update on Twitter stated a 30-minute suspension due to a lightning strike within 10km of the stadium.
As bad weather approached, an announcement on the stadium screen instructed certain patrons to move to the concourse for cover while others were asked to remain seated. Both teams retreated to the changing rooms at Accor Stadium, with a ten-minute warm-up scheduled before play resumed, with the clock stopped at the 43rd minute.
Mark Philp, the matchday manager for Rugby Australia, mentioned during the break that a 30-minute wait after the last thunder and lightning was required before considering resuming the game. The potential for abandonment and a decision on the match result would be escalated if the delay extended beyond 55-60 minutes.
The suspension came after Lions player James Ryan suffered a concerning injury and was stretchered off following a collision with Will Skelton. As medics attended to Ryan, a scuffle broke out involving players from both teams.
Despite the interruption, Ryan managed to signal to the crowd that he was okay as he was taken off the field. The Wallabies were leading 8-0 at the time of the suspension, with Tom Lynagh’s penalty and Dylan Pietsch’s try contributing to their scoreline.
Following the halt in play, Max Jorgensen scored a try for the Wallabies, which was converted by Ben Donaldson, further extending the hosts’ lead. Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering significant savings and a wide range of live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League.
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