Wests Tigers centre Rob Jennings went on an epic 49-hour baby bender last weekend which featured a hit-and-run trip to Suncorp Stadium, a concussion, and the eventual arrival of his first bundle of joy.
Rob Jennings with his partner Samantha and newborn Willow
Jennings was spared flying with the Tigers to Brisbane a day early so he could remain with his partner, Samantha, who was already four days overdue with their first child.
The sleep-deprived 23-year-old sat in the stands at Concord Oval this week and did his best job of retelling the story to the Herald.
"Then 1am on the Thursday she started having contractions,'' Jennings said.
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"We called up the birthing unit and were like, 'is she ready to go?'. They couldn't tell us.
"It was tough. I was tossing up whether to go to Brisbane. I wanted to play against the Broncos but I also wanted to be there for the birth.
"I got to the airport early on Thursday and before I boarded the plane I tried ringing 'Madge' [coach Michael Maguire], but it went through to voicemail.
"So I jumped on the plane and prayed she would hold on. The whole day I was stressing.
"I played that night and copped a big hit. I remember the hit [in the 22nd minute], but I failed the HIA.
"After the game they told me I had to stay awake because of the concussion.
"They put me on the 6am flight back to Sydney and when I got home she was still having contractions.
"We went to Blacktown Hospital and by that stage she had dilated 6cm. They kept us and we stayed the whole day for the birth. At 8.42am our little girl, Willow, was born.
"The nurse looked at me and told me to go home and sleep and they would look after them.
"I was too pumped and excited, there was adrenaline. By the time I got home I went to sleep about 2am. But I woke up at 6am and wanted to go back and see my little girl.''
Jennings and his young family returned home Sunday night and have enjoyed the long turnaround to Monday's clash in Parramatta.
Awaiting Rob will be his 30-year-old brother Michael, who became a first-time father himself late last year.
"Uncle Michael'' had his 250th game ruined by Rob last year when he played for South Sydney.
"It was good to get one up on Michael, and while he will be on the opposite side of the field on Monday, I will go looking to get over to him,'' Rob said.
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