Canada lost to France Sunday at the Rugby World Cup, but fullback James Pritchard received some news that might soften the blow.
Two hours before Canada was due to kick off against the French, Pritchard was told his partner Jenni had given birth to a baby girl, Hayden Emily Pritchard. She weighed in at six pounds, seven ounces.
“It was hard to concentrate knowing I had just had a baby girl,” Pritchard said following Canada’s 46-19 loss to France. “Just before the game it was hard to concentrate, but once the game started it was all rugby.”
Hayden is Pritchard’s second child, along with 18-month-old son Lucas.
His partner’s parents also made the trip to the Rugby World Cup, with Pritchard’s mother making her way over from Australia to help look after Jenni, Lucas and baby Hayden.
Even though he had a game to focus on, the fullback made sure to call Jenni before he took to the field.
“I gave her a call,” Pritchard said. “She was quite tired and Hayden was sleeping on her.”
Pritchard lives in England and plays professionally with the Bedford Blues. The fullback is Canada’s third-highest scorer, with 398 points in 41 capped appearances for Canada.
After two games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he has scored 18 points for Canada, kicking two penalty goals and two conversions against Tonga and two penalty goals and one conversion against France.
While disappointed by Canada’s loss to France in Napier on Sunday, Pritchard spoke of never forgetting where he was when he heard the news.
“I wasn’t able to be there, but I’ll definitely remember where I was,” he said. “It would have been even better to remember if we were able to turn the French.”