Cameron McInnes celebrated the birth of his first child on Thursday night, but only after the St George Illawarra club doctor worked some magic and delayed the birth until after Anzac Day.
So Tony Carrigan contacted a few of his medical mates at the hospital, and with Rachel's blessing, delayed the start of the labour process by 24 hours.
At no stage was Rachel or the newborn's health put at risk by delaying the birth.
The 24-year-old had exited the Moore Park precinct before the official presentations had been completed on the field.
The baby – a boy they have named Talanoa – arrived just before 8pm and weighed in at a whopping 4.5kg, which means the Dragons could have a future prop on their hands.
"The doctors were going to induce Rachel on Tuesday so she would have the baby Wednesday, but our club doctor went up to the hospital – it's one of the places he works – and asked if they could induce her Wednesday so the baby arrived Thursday,'' Dragons coach Paul McGregor told Fairfax Media.
"It's all worked out excitingly well. We delayed the birth of the baby so Cam could play footy.''
