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PLAY WILL RESUME AT 21:50 (Aus), 12:50 (UK)
The players are returning the field. The rain looks to have stopped entirely for now.
To remind you where we left it, Australia had been awarded a penalty for Porter getting involved in some shoving around a ruck. It had all been started, inevitably, by Nic White who Jedi mind-tricked Ref Amashukeli into blaming someone else,
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Updated at 12.45 BST
Sky Sports have just told us that the players will return to the pitch at 21:40 local time, which is in approximately five minutes. Which means, I conclude, that there’s been no more lightning since the first incident that took the players off the field.
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Mark Philp, matchday manager for Rugby Australia is talking to Sky Sports
“We’re keeping an eye on the weather, and we have to wait 30 mins after the last thunder and lightning. If this lasts 55-60 mins 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.”
Bad weather delays the game. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAPShare
Updated at 12.38 BST
“I was at a Sydney FC game a year or two ago and we had a lightning stoppage.” Leo Bazjert informs us, “I think it lasted 90 mins or so. Not sure exactly, because they kept the bar open.”
Sounds like that turned into a good day.
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It is very interesting to observe how each player deals with this delay back in the changing rooms. Lots are pacing as they try to keep warm, some are having a rub down, Owen Farrell is standing still with hands on hips clearly trying to keep his mentality right.
Finn Russell, meanwhile, is sitting with his feet up scrolling though his phone. Never change, Finn.
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Liam S Murray emails
“Very different to last week, but gripping in its own way, with Tom Curry the pick of the Lions so far. Will Skelton in the middle of everything, inevitably, but James Ryan was facing up to him quite well, so very disappointed that he’s had to go off. But man oh man, what is wrong with that public address announcer/DJ? He’s a bigger villain that Skelton.”
Yes, can we all focus on the real enemy here, please?
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What a game so far, though, in terms of the full cornucopia of narrative.
We’ve had Australia dominating, a load of fights, injuries galore, weather selections from God’s tombola of disruption and Sweet Caroline soundtracking a serious head injury.
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So what happens now, I sense you asking?
The players have left the field and returned to the sheds. Play will be suspended until at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning is observed.
Talk amongst yourselves.
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Updated at 12.22 BST
PLAY SUSPENDED FOR LIGHTNING WARNING!
42’39”. Ref Amashukeli lets the players know that play is suspended due to the conditions overhead.
The rain continues to come down as play is suspended. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.21 BST
The tannoy is blasting Sweet Caroline as Ryan receives treatment. Imagine lying there having had your head rattled by a giant’s leg and that utter dreck is piping into your ears. Horrific.
Hopefully that gesture from James Ryan is about his condition rather than about the stadium’s choice of music. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.20 BST
A break in play after Ryan gets his head the wrong side of a tackle on Skelton and it leads to him taking a knee to the head. That will be the end of the Irishman’s game and the medical staff rightly take their time to sort him out.
Jac Morgan replaces him, which will move Beirne to the second row.
Will Skelton and Andrew Porter clash as James Ryan receives medical treatment on the ground. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 12.14 BST
42 mins. An early lineout is won by Beirne for Russell to launch a high kick towards Wright. It’s too deep and the fullback can mark it then tap and go before blootering a long touchfinder of his own.
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Updated at 12.14 BST
Second Half!
The Wallabies receive the ball deep to commence the final forty minutes of the tour.
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I missed telling you at the end of the half that Itoje is out of the game, he’s replaced by Ollie Chessum.
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Updated at 12.13 BST
“Skelton continuing to be an absolute grub – how has he not seen the threatened yellow yet?” asks Paul Waggott. “An unseemly blot on what has otherwise been an excellent Australian performance. Credit to the Wallabies, the Lions look like they’re still hungover from last weekend, and the Wallabies have been brilliant.”
I would argue Skelton has been brilliant also, and has played a big role in the performance. The role of evil henchman or full on wrestling heel is often as important as the fellas doing the clearing out when your back is against the wall.
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A not totally dissimilar situation from the second test here, with Australia showing up strongly in the opening period. There are however some key differences.
The Lions have not fought their way back as they did in the second quarter last week, mostly down to the gold aggression and physicality in the ruck, which is up a notch from the last time out. The visitors haven’t dealt with the conditions as well as the home side, either.
Another factor are the personnel changes for the Wallabies. Nic White has run the show so far, and added to this Dylan Pietsch scored a great try and has been popping up everywhere in defence and attack.
Will an eight point lead be enough when the Lions bench hammer drops? Stick around to find out.
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Half Time!
40 mins. Sheehan overthrows a lineout on halfway, Frost nicks it and finds White who kick to touch to end the half.
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Updated at 11.51 BST
38 mins. Owen Farrell is on due to Freeman picking up an injury. He will assume the 12 position, and this pushes Aki to outside centre and Jones to the wing.
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36 mins. The latest scrum sees the Lions get a nudge on for the first time and on the penalty advantage then move into the Australia half. The make their way into the 22 via some Conan graft and the driving carries commence, but Hooper gets over the ball to secure a penalty turnover.
Once again, Australia do a better job of defending their line compares to last week.
Australian and Lions players battle in the torrential rain. Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 11.49 BST
34 mins. Tom Lynagh needs an HIA and so Ben Donaldson replaces him, temporarily for now.
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PENALTY! Australia 8 – 0 Lions (Tom Lynagh)
33 mins. In the midst of the unconvincing attack the Lions were penalised at the ruck. It’s bang in front and Wilson tells him to slot it.
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Updated at 11.48 BST
31 mins. The Lions secure possession at the scrum and the ball the flung to Aki, but the big centre can’t hold onto it in the wet and under pressure in the tackle. Australia win the scrum of their own and as the rain intensifies once more they reach double figures in phases but are broadly going nowhere other than backward.
Will Skelton is tackled by Jack Conan. Photograph: Mark Baker/APShare
Updated at 11.49 BST
28 mins. A big call from the Harry Wilson as he tells Lynagh to put the ball into the corner from a very kickable for points position. The ball is won at the lineout, but the Lions tie the ball up in the maul and win a scrum. That feels like three points lost for the Wallabies.
A tricky 5m scrum exit needed from the tourists here.
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26 mins. Australia move forward into the Lions 22 and as the advantage is called over the phases and carries continue. Two rucks later the ref awards another penalty to the home side as the Lions defence frantically works to repel the runners.
Nic White is doing an incredible job of leading his pack around the field, all rhythms passing and go forward.
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24 mins. When the dust settles the Lions win a lineout and fire the ball to Russell who drops it forward. Another great scrum from the Aussies wins a penalty but they will play on with the advantage in the bank as the ball is out and moving.
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22 mins. A full on pasty-fest has set off around the Lions 22! Nic White shoved Dan Sheehan near a ruck, which set off a bit of a wrestle and that was all the invitation Will Skelton needed to wade in, including pulling James Ryan’s scrum-cap. This set of at least three splinter rammies all about the place.
All very good fun, let’s be honest. The upshot of it is Skelton penalised for being a massive nuisance.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Nic White are separated by teammates. Photograph: Mark Baker/APShare
Updated at 11.35 BST
21 mins. The Lions try to get some go-forward via a trademark Aki carry, but he is swamped by gold defenders who hold him up, wrap the ball and win a maul scrum. This is then backed up by a big shove by the Wallabies pack winning a penalty.
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18 mins. From lineout possession stolen from a Sheehan throw, Australia work the all in midfield with some decent hands in the circumstances. Right up to the point an errant pass is fumbled forward by Lynagh.
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16 mins. The rain is now almost comical in its ridiculousness; like a damp net curtain draped across the screen. This leads to multiple handling errors and neither side doing a great deal for a few minutes and possessions.
The rain sheets down in Sydney, Photograph: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 11.24 BST
13 mins. Possession is claimed at the lineout and as the phases come from the Lions, Australia drift offside. Sheehan opts for a tap and go, which is worked left but covered well by the home defenders. Gibson-Park moves the ball back towards midfield where Freeman is a little isolated and this allows Pietsch to clamp on and win a penalty for the Wallabies.
A big moment for Australia as last week they could repel nothing when the Lions entered their 22.
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10 mins. The tourists have their first couple of minutes of possession that stalls a bit around the midfield. Russell has seen enough and puts a probing kick towards the right corner that Wright has to gather and take into touch.
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TRY! Australia 5 – 0 Lions (Dylan Pietsch)
8 mins. Nic Wright runs to the right from the base of the scrum and sets off repeated phases of short passes and carries from the forwards, pulverising the Lions defence. Finally the ball is fed to Suaalii who does a fabulous job to hold the defence and float a pass to Pietsch. The winger goes aerial to dive and finish in the left corner.
A brilliantly worked try from Australia in the dreadful conditions.
Lynagh misses the conversion.
Dylan Pietsch of the Wallabies dives over to score the opening try. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesPietsch celebrates after scoring. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 11.23 BST
5 mins. A linout is won by the Lions in gold territory, but the first breakdown offers a chance for Pollard to redeem himself with some brilliant ruck work to win a turnover penalty.
Tom Lynagh finds a very good touch and as the ball comes left it’s drilled towards the corner by a Wright grubber that forces Keenan to carry it touch in-goal. The Wallabies have a 5m attacking scrum platform as the torrential rain falls.
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The officials for this third test, by the way:
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Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
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Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and Andrea Piardi (Italy)
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TMO (Television Match Official): Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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2 mins. Billy Pollard is back in the Aussie side at hooker and his first action of the match is to chuck his lineout throw in the Lions half to James Ryan. The ball is cleared by Russell and a couple of phases later Skelton is penalised for hands in the ruck.
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Kick Off!
The match is underway after Nic White boots it deep into Lions territory.
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The teams are out, slightly behind schedule, we await the Australia anthem and then a ball will be kicked to commence proceedings.
Harry Wilson, James Slipper, Nick Frost and Will Skelton sing the Australian anthem. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 11.08 BST
“Even if you feel a repeat of last week’s epic is less likely, I still hope Australia come out with the same power and spirit this game.” ventures Guy Hornsby. “There’s a lot been talked about the ‘easy’ nature of a potential 3-0 but hubris is always lurking, and both sides will want to take that to heart. I suspect it’ll be close until the benches empty, but as a Lions fan, I still want a great, close game. There’s no joy in a thumping away win when you love the wider game.”
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Final words are being delivered in the changing rooms by the coaches as players zip up their tracksuit tops and prepare to head out into the damp night. The obligatory hype man is on the mic in the stadium and it won’t be long until we’re underway.
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Euan Clark emails from, I presume, Sydney.
“Weather has been like this for the past three days. Few minutes of torrential rain, ten mins of drizzle then clear for about 30 mins, so expect two or three periods of soaking over the game.”
Lions head coach Andy Farrell and Australia counterpart Joe Schmidt. Photograph: David Davies/PAShare
Updated at 10.44 BST
As we head closer to kick off, the heavens have opened and it is absolutely HONKING it down in Sydney. This will place even greater importance on the kicking game from the half-backs and the returning Nic White in particular will be earning his corn.
These Lions fans have come suitably prepared, both for the weather and cheering on their team. Photograph: Mark Baker/APShare
Updated at 12.27 BST
Pre match reading
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How important is the whitewash to Lions fans? And for Australians, is a win today essential to the journey of this squad with the Rugby Championship incoming? All this and more can be shared with me on the email.
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Teams
Joe Schmidt is without last week’s difference maker Rob Valetini at flank and prop Allan Alaalatoa, who are replaced by Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou. In the backs, Nic White returns at scrum-half for his farewell test appearace, while Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the wing.
The Lions have had a late worry over Tommy Freeman’s fitness, but as of writing he’s still in the line-up. Blair Kinghorn replaces James Lowe on the wing and James Ryan starts in the second row ahead of Ollie Chessum. Andy Farrell has decided on a 6-2 bench, with Ben Earl returning to the squad.
Australia
Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Lynagh, Nic White, James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson.
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
British & Irish Lions
Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell.
Andy Farrell surveys the scene in Sydney. Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 10.39 BST
Preamble
The West Wing’s Toby Ziegler once stated: “They’ll like us when we win!” In the show, this was a questionable justification for yet another US war, but the sentiment probably sits well with the Lions head coach.
It is oft repeated that Andy Farrell is a winner and this has broadly been true of his career (if you discount Ireland progressing beyond the quarter finals of a World Cup; but you can’t expect one man – however impressive – to solve that particular historical psychodrama). With the series is already won hopes were raised of something resembling a banter team selection for Lions in this cherry-on-the-top third test. To expect this is to misunderstand Farrell and his history.
His 13 years as a player at Wigan delivered 15 trophies in their continued domination of rugby league from the 1980s. Key to this domination was the culture of his hometown club. Rugby league was never a fully professional sport, with players working to supplement the modest income from the game and Wigan was the first team to change that. Wigan made the move to full professionalism in the middle of Thatcher’s decade and ushered the period of their boot relentlessly stamping on the face of the sport for the best part of two decades. No one else had the money, the desire or the sheer bloody-mindedness to pull it off.
Was it fair? Debatable. Was it fun for anyone else? I can speak from personal experience as a non-Wiganer it absolutely was not. Was it successful? Hell, yeah!
This unyielding approach arrives in Sydney in a few hours, because they’ll like us when we win.
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Updated at 09.54 BST