The British & Irish Lions’ third Test with Australia was suspended due to adverse weather conditions, moments after James Ryan was carted off the pitch following a horrifying injury. Following reports of lightning in the nearby area in Sydney, players were ushered into their dressing rooms a few minutes after emerging for the second half.
Ryan had been knocked out as he attempted a tackle on Will Skelton, but caught a knee to his head and laid motionless on the floor while play was brought to a halt around him. Nic White then started a brawl, similar to the one he instigated in the first half, while medics rushed to Ryan’s side.
A lightning strike within 10 kilometres of the stadium then triggered a 30-minute suspension and an unprecedented stoppage. If another strike takes place, then the clock will be reset for another 30 minutes until the storm is not in that particular part of Sydney. Australia led 8-0 at the time of the lightning strike.
Fans inside Stadium Australia were told to look for shelter as a message on the TV screens read: “Bad weather is approaching patrons sat in rows 1-19 of the lower seating bowl. head to the concourse where it is undercover. Follow instructions of stadium staff. All other patrons please remain seated.”
Supporters instead began entertaining themselves by rushing onto the then vacant pitch, trying to figure out if they could run the entire distance before being tackled by security, which prompted huge cheers from the stands as they waited for play to resume.
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Their concerns for Ryan were very real, however. He spent a lengthy amount of time on the floor while the referee gave White a warning and told both captains that any further infringements would result in a yellow card.
Former Wales fly-half and Sky Sports commentator Dan Biggar described the injury: “Ryan just got his head completely the wrong side there and if you’re going to get your head the wrong side of anybody, you don’t want it to be Will Skelton!”
White was replaced by Jac Morgan for his second Lions cap but play was suspended before the Welshman could get into the game, as White left the field on a medical car.
There were positive signs for the Ireland lock, though, as he held his thumb aloft to the fans while he was being wheeled away.
Once players are given the green light to return, they will also need to undergo a 10-minute warm-up before restarting play.
Matchday manager Mark Philip explained the situation to Sky: “We had lightning strikes within 10km so we’re now just watching the weather and we’re playing it by ear.
“First strike we have to wait 30 minutes. If there’s no strikes in that period we can get the players back on. If we get close to that 55-60-minute mark the decision will go much higher up and it may be a match abandonment.
“If that’s the case then we look at the game and because it’s the second half of the game the score will stand.”