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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Marcus Hughes

Fijian dad and Welsh mum's first baby born during Wales v Fiji game

The moment any baby arrives in the world is momentous, but one little girl's arrival was particularly apt.

Dad Tim Tukadra Durrant, who has Fijian heritage, and mum Jade Bedborough, who is Welsh, welcomed their first-born child during the second half of the Wales' thrilling Rugby World Cup match against Fiji.

Their baby was born at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport on Wednesday afternoon just as the nation was anxiously awaiting the final whistle on Wales' edge-of-seat clash.

Dad Tim had managed to stream the first half of the game on his phone but it was clear by the second half that Jade would soon be giving birth.

"It was on in my pocket," Tim said.

Jade, 26, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital.

The baby, who is yet to be named weighed 7lb 9oz but has been bought both a new Wales and Fiji babygrows by her auntie.

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Tim's mother was born in England to Fijian parents. His grandparents, Timoci and Meremsimani, moved to Bettws in Newport in 1967.

Rugby is a passion of the whole Tukandra family and they support both Wales and Fiji, but when they play against each other Fiji always take precedence.

Jade and Tim (Tim Tukadra Durrant)

Proud dad Tim, also 26, said his partner Jade had been due the Friday before, but the infant arrived on Wednesday morning.

"She was due last Friday and then every day I was coming into work and people were asking if there were any signs," Tim, from Gaer, Newport, said.

"I was in work at seven on Wednesday and at half eight she rang me."

Over the years, the Bettws community have received visits from various Fiji rugby teams, who have been welcomed into the Tukandra family home.

The baby hasn't been named yet (Tim Tukadra Durrant)

Jade and Tim took their daughter home on Thursday afternoon, and while both mother and baby are doing well back at their flat in Newport, Tim said he hasn't quite got the hang of nappy changing yet.

"I tried giving it a go yesterday and it was a poo," Tim said. "I just couldn't do it."

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