Andy Farrell, head coach of the British and Irish Lions, dismissed claims of complacency from his players during the unusual 38-minute lightning delay in their game against the Wallabies at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Saturday night. The match was halted early in the second half when a match official advised the referee, Nika Amashukeli, to stop the game due to lightning within a 10-kilometre radius, in accordance with World Rugby protocols.
During the break, the Wallabies appeared to focus more seriously on their preparations than the Lions. Standout No.10 Finn Russell was seen using his phone until approached by a team staff member, highlighting that while certain sports like cricket, rugby league, and Australian rules have bans on phones in dressing rooms due to concerns about gambling, there is no such rule in World Rugby.
Farrell strongly refuted any suggestion that his team had become complacent, asserting, “That’s completely utter rubbish.” At the time of the stoppage, the Wallabies led 8-0, and the Lions had already secured the series win prior to this match. Farrell explained that the warm-up had been carefully planned and that the teams agreed on a ten-minute warm-up period before returning to play.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt described the night as one of the more “bizarre” experiences of his career, noting that they had anticipated the lightning and prepared a strategy to keep players active during the delay. His team engaged in various activities, including bike rotations and passing a ball amongst themselves to maintain their connection.
When play resumed, the Wallabies capitalised on their momentum, with winger Max Jorgensen scoring a pivotal try in the 55th minute. Farrell recognised that the delay might have hindered his team’s performance, admitting that it felt like “rigor mortis was setting in” for his players. He acknowledged that such experiences are part of the unique challenges that come with the Lions’ touring schedule, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of rugby. Ultimately, he conceded that Australia was deserving of their victory that night.