LION HEARTS

Andy's heroes weather Aussie storm

- ADAM HATHWAY

LIONS boss Andy Farrell's hopes of a Wallaby whitewash were washed away in a storm as his side lost their unbeaten record Down Under.

On a dramatic night in Sydney play was suspended for more than 35 minutes just after the break because of lightning strikes in the area.

And bad luck struck the tourists three times before that with skipper Maro Itoje, wing Tommy Freeman and lock James Ryan all out of the game before the 42-minute mark.

With such carnage and positional reshuffles the Lions were blown away in the downpour and their hopes of a clean sweep washed down the drain.

They manned-up all right but in the end were outscored by three tries to one and the Wallabies, so close to winning in Melbourne last week, must be thinking of what might have been.

The lightning break came with the Australians 8-0 in front and they rained on the Lions' parade good and proper after the delay.