The third and final match between the British & Irish Lions and Australia was halted in Sydney due to severe storms on Saturday. The game began under wet conditions but was paused just after the 40-minute mark.
A statement from the British & Irish Lions announced: “PLAY SUSPENDED due to a lightning warning in the area.” Another update on Twitter informed: “Latest update: play has been suspended for 30 minutes in Sydney due to lightning within 10km of the stadium.”
A message displayed on the stadium screen advised patrons in rows 1-19 to move to the concourse due to approaching bad weather. Players from both teams returned to the changing rooms at Accor Stadium. A ten-minute warm-up was planned before play resumed with the match clock stopped at the 43rd minute.
During the break, Mark Philp, the matchday manager for Rugby Australia, stated to Sky Sports: “We’re monitoring the weather, and we must wait 30 minutes after the last thunder and lightning. If this continues for 55-60 minutes, a decision on abandonment will be made, but currently, we aim to resume the game for the players and fans.”
The suspension came after Lions player James Ryan was stretchered off following an injury when he collided with Will Skelton. Ryan was briefly unconscious on the field, prompting a halt in play. Nic White incited a scuffle between the teams while medics attended to Ryan.
Ryan was eventually carried off on a stretcher but signaled to the crowd that he was okay. At the suspension, the Wallabies led 8-0 with a penalty from Tom Lynagh and a try by Dylan Pietsch. Max Jorgensen scored a try converted by Ben Donaldson, extending the hosts’ lead after the resumption of play.
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering over 1,400 live matches, including at least 215 Premier League games.
