Lightning halts women’s rugby Test as ‘humdinger’ winter storm lashes Brisbane

A large rain band moving across Australia brought soggy conditions across large parts of the country, stretching from much of central Queensland to Tasmania and over to coastal areas of South Australia.

The stormy weather in Brisbane even led to lightning causing play to be suspended in a women’s rugby Test between the Wallaroos and Wales, which the tourists eventually went on to win 21-12.

The sunshine state copped an “unseasonable” amount of rain including in the central highlands, where 45 millimetres was recorded in the 24 hours to Saturday morning, Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

“Through the remainder of the day today, we’ll see this band of rain move eastwards across Queensland, southeastwards across New South Wales and Tasmania,” he said.

“The rain band will linger across parts of Queensland.

“It’s a wet night in Brisbane tonight and actually wet really up to around about Mackay maybe.”

Meanwhile, lightning forced a suspension of about 35 minutes in the women’s rugby Test between Australia and Wales at Ballymore in Brisbane.

Australia’s Kaitlan Leaney takes it up to her Welsh opponents in the Test in Brisbane.Credit: AAP

The game was halted in the 12th minute with Australia leading 7-0.

The Wallaroos took the lead after seven minutes when lock Annabelle Codey plunged over from close range and her try was converted.

Rain started to fall shortly after and flashes of lightning forced the temporary suspension of play before Wales fought back to claim the contest.

Queensland and Tasmania were expected to cop the most rain late on Saturday before conditions ease on Sunday.

“It’s going to stay quite wintry because it will be chilly, cold temperatures, quite gusty winds, sort of showers, possibly some hail in there as well,” Hines said.

AAP

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