British & Irish Lions match suspended moments after star gets knocked out

The British & Irish Lions' third and final clash with Australiawas suspended due to huge storms in Sydney on Saturday. The game initially got underway in sodden conditions but was suspended just after the 40-minute mark.

A statement from theBritish & Irish Lions read: "PLAY SUSPENDED due to a lightning warning in the area." A further statement on Twitter read: "Latest update: play has been suspended for 30 minutes here in Sydney due to a lightning strike within 10km of the stadium."

Meanwhile, a message was relayed on the stadium's big screen saying: "Bad weather is approaching. Patrons seated 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 must remain seated."

Both sets of players headed back into the changing rooms of the Accor Stadium. A ten-minute warm up was then scheduled before the resumption of play with the clock stopped in the 43rd minute of the match.

Speaking to Sky Sports during the stoppage, matchday manager for Rugby Australia, Mark Philp said: “We’re keeping an eye on the weather, and we have to wait 30 mins after the last thunder and lightning.

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"If this lasts 55-60 minutes or so then a decision is kicked up much higher than me to consider an abandonment and given it’s the second half the result would stand. But we’re not there yet and we all want to get the game resumed for the players and the fans.”

The suspension followed a pause as Lions player James Ryan was stretchered off the pitch following a concerning injury. Ryan had been knocked unconscious as he attempted to tackle Will Skelton.

He caught a knee to his head and laid motionless on the floor while play was stopped around him. Nic White was then the instigator of a brawl between the two sides, similar to the one he started before the break, while medics rushed to Ryan's side.

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Ryan was taken from the field on a stretcher but eventually raised his hand to the crowd to confirm he was okay.

The Wallabies were 8-0 up at the time of the suspension following a penalty from Tom Lynagh and Dylan Pietsch's try. Max Jorgensen then scored a try that was converted by Ben Donaldson to extend the hosts' lead after the resumption of play.

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