Lightning disrupts Lions as strike causes play to be suspended

Extra.ie​

2 days ago

With Storm Floris brewing and heading over Ireland this bank holiday weekend many would be wishing of being out in the Australian sun. However watching the British & Irish Lions third and final test in Sydney would have you thinking otherwise.
It's been raining for most of the week leading up to the final test as the Lions head into it as series winner after Hugo Keenan's winning try in Melbourne last Saturday. That rain continued into Saturday night in Sydney and as the test got underway the heavens opened.
It lead to some amazing shots as the pitch began to resemble more of a swimming pool than a rugby field in the first half as a Dylan Pietsch try gave the Wallabies a 8-0 lead heading into the break. Bundee Aki. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
It was a stop-start first half with plenty of lineouts and scrums as the wet ball worked against the chance of any exciting rugby to be played. It became a physical arm wrestle which suited the Wallabies' big men like Will Skelton perfectly.
Andy Farrell also had to deal with multiple injuries as captain Maro Itoje and Tommy Freeman both failed first half Head Injury Assessments and were forced off. The weather didn't look like holding off in the second half and it lead to the worst result for fans as a lightning strike within a 10km radius of the stadium forced the players off the pitch. Maro Itoje getting tackled. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
As was seen last month in England's test against USA, World Rugby protocol is that if there's a lightning strike in the are of the stadium then then play is suspended for 30 minutes and if there's another strike then the clock is resets to 30 minutes once again.
The fans kept themselves entertained with some invading the pitch while the players tried to stay warm in the dressing rooms. Fortunately for everyone involved the players returned to the pitch 30 minutes after going off and warmed up for 10 minutes before play resumed.