Lightning stops NRL game between Souths and Bulldogs
Lightning has forced South Sydney and Canterbury from the field at Accor Stadium, in the first time weather has stopped an NRL game in more than a decade.
Referee Adam Gee ordered South Sydney and Canterbury off around 4.40pm on Sunday (6.40pm NZT) with the Bulldogs leading 18-0 in the 31st minute.
Lightning had struck nearby twice before the stoppage, with the second flash prompting audible gasps from the modest crowd.
Soon beforehand, security had ordered patrons in lower seating areas to take cover as rain teemed down.
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Sideline commentators and ground staff also fled the field with the players.
The stadium DJ played the classic rock hit Rain by Dragon, making light of the situation.
Two young fans took advantage of the situation and rushed onto the field, prompting a small army of security guards into action on the sodden turf.
Soon before 5pm, the referee determined in consultation with venue management and ground staff that play could resume imminently, with players to be afforded two minutes of warm-up time before the resumption.
It was the first time since Anzac Day in 2015 that a match had been paused due to weather, with hail forcing St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters off that day.
Before that, the last time weather interrupted a game was in 2009.
The Bulldogs dominated the early exchanges of round 15's final game, with Toby Sexton scoring the first try as he fights for his spot in the team's halves.
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