Roosters centre Joey Manu has opened up on the roller coaster of emotions that came with the arrival of his first baby at home.
The birth took place at the start of the season, just days before Manu was due to fly to Las Vegas for the NRL’s season opener.
While his Roosters teammates were gearing up for the trip of a lifetime, Manu was focused on ensuring a smooth entry into the world for his daughter.
The centre’s wife went into labour around midnight, with the couple remaining at home in the early stages of the process. By 5am, Manu had called an ambulance to transport the couple to hospital but their daughter wasn’t willing to wait.
With a paramedic on the phone to talk him through the process, Manu helped deliver the newborn before the ambulance arrived 10 minutes later.
“I called the ambulance and lucky there was a lady that told me what to do,” Manu said. “She said to grab towels and look to see if the baby’s coming.
“I said yes, I can see her coming out and they said to tell her to push and get ready to catch her. She pretty much just slipped out.
“My wife was really good. She was in a lot of pain but after the birth the best moment it was just us two and the lady on the phone. It was a pretty cool moment once she came out.”
While he considered missing the Vegas game altogether, Manu eventually flew to the States to link up with his teammates.
The arrival of Manu’s daughter has added a special touch to his final season in the NRl before he links up with Japanese rugby club Toyota Verblitz.
“I said yes, I can see her coming out and they said to tell her to push and get ready to catch her. She pretty much just slipped out.”
A nine-year veteran at the Roosters, Manu has won premierships and represented his country but a grand final victory with his baby in the stands would top all of those achievements.
The side currently sits third on the ladder and is considered the biggest threat to toppling the Storm and Panthers.
While there will be plenty to look back on at the end of the year, Manu is eager to stay in the moment and enjoy everything that pops up throughout these final couple of months.
“I’ll look back on the year when it’s done,” he said. “I’m just focusing on what we’re trying to do here.
“You think about it coming to an end a little bit but it’s gone so fast. I’ve just switched back to being in the moment and want to do what’s best for the team.”
The Roosters have a chance to solidify their place in the top four when they host the Eels at Allianz Stadium.
While the match may appear lopsided on paper, Parramatta came agonisingly close to upsetting the Panthers last weekend and they have their sights on a victory this Friday.
Manu will line up opposite Eels rookie Blaize Talagi, who announced on Monday he would be joining Penrith next season.
The Roosters veteran said he’ll have to be on his game to ensure he isn’t upstaged by his younger rival.
“I’ve heard a lot about Blaize,” Manu said. “I haven’t watched too much of him but he seems like a good player so I’m looking forward to going up against him.
“Every game’s a tough game in the NRL. We’re not going to take it lightly, especially when we come to the back end of the season. A lot of teams are eighter fighting for the championship or giving as much as they can.”
