The British & Irish Lions’ final match against Australia was halted due to severe storms in Sydney over the weekend. The game commenced under wet conditions but was paused just after the first half.
A statement from the British & Irish Lions mentioned, “PLAY SUSPENDED due to a lightning warning in the area.” A subsequent update on Twitter stated, “Latest update: play has been suspended for 30 minutes in Sydney due to lightning within 10km of the stadium.”
A notification on the stadium screen advised spectators in certain seating areas to move to the concourse due to approaching bad weather. Players from both teams retreated to the changing rooms at Accor Stadium. A ten-minute warm-up session was arranged before the game resumed with the clock stopped at the 43rd minute.
During the interruption, Mark Philp, the matchday manager for Rugby Australia, informed Sky Sports, “We’re monitoring the weather and must wait 30 minutes after the last thunder and lightning. If the delay extends to around 55-60 minutes, a higher authority will decide on possible abandonment, with the current score standing if it’s in the second half.”
The suspension occurred after Lions’ player James Ryan was taken off the field on a stretcher due to an injury sustained while attempting a tackle. Ryan was knocked unconscious after colliding with Will Skelton, prompting a halt in play as medics attended to him.
Ryan signaled to the crowd that he was fine as he was carried off the pitch. At the time of the suspension, the Wallabies led 8-0 following a penalty by Tom Lynagh and a try by Dylan Pietsch. Max Jorgensen later scored a try, converted by Ben Donaldson, increasing the hosts’ advantage after play resumed.
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