Oz Warrior welcomes new Kiwi baby

Warrior Ryan Hoffman with his wife Melissa, son Zach, 2, and newborn daughter, Mia. She was born on Oct 8. Photo / NZH

Warriors' Aussie import Ryan Hoffman has welcomed a Kiwi into his family. The star second rower and his wife, Melissa, are the proud parents of Mia Grace, born at Auckland City Hospital 10 days ago, a delighted Hoffman told the Herald on Sunday.

"She was a very big girl, 4.2kg or 9.4lb, and we had planned a caesarean because my son was over 10lb. We went the caesarean route just to get them out the sun roof because it would've been a bit hard to get them out the old-fashioned way."

Mia entered the world with a hearty and welcome cry, Hoffman said. "There's nothing like that first cry. It's the most wonderful sound in the world and something that you remember, knowing your child has been born and sounds healthy.

"She's very alert, loves looking around. You really see her attention spark up when she hears her brother's voice."

Brother Zach, 2, was one of Mia's first visitors. "He was very, very proud. And he was excited that Mia gave him a present."

Mia was born in Auckland because her mother was not able to travel back to Australia after the Warriors' season ended, Hoffman said.

"So we've got a little Kiwi baby."

In time she would have her own miniature Warriors jersey, but he drew the line at the tiny bundle wearing an All Blacks strip.

"She was born in New Zealand, but she's gonna be an Aussie girl through and through."

The Herald on Sunday reported last month that 11 of this season's team, including captain Simon Mannering, had recently welcomed or were expecting babies.

Thomas Leuluai, Manu Vatuvei, Jacob Lillyman and Matt Allwood are all still awaiting new arrivals. Allwood and partner Nikki Isemonger are expecting twin girls in February.