ACT Brumbies prop Ben Alexander used to dwell on the small things in rugby, but two tiny packages that sit perfectly in his arms have changed his life and career.
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Meet Emma and Ivy Alexander, the new additions to the growing Brumbies family who would melt the heart of any burly rugby front-rower with cauliflower ears.
They're the twin girls who were born seven-and-a-half weeks early, both weighing less than two kilograms, and spent the first six weeks of their life getting around-the-clock care in hospital.
They're the reason Alexander will return to Canberra this weekend with a smile on his face regardless of whether the Brumbies win or lose against the Auckland Blues on Friday night.
The two-day trip to New Zealand for a crucial Super Rugby battle against the Blues is the longest Alexander has spent away from Emma and Ivy since they were born on April 19.
And the most experienced front-rower in Brumbies history, who is on the verge of finalising a new Super Rugby contract, has opened up for the first time about their birth to share his positive story about the public health system.
Wife Jen gave birth to the identical twins more than two months ago, and their tiny and fragile bodies were moved into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Canberra Hospital to help them grow.
"Seeing your daughters in a humidicrib can be quite confronting," Alexander said.
"You don't know what to expect when you have your first kids, it's a huge learning experience and changes your life.
"They were skinny but they were a good length. They just needed to grow, as is the case with a lot of twins. In particular identical twins.
"So they were in there for six-and-a-half weeks. Jen spent a lot of time there, I was there when we weren't training and I can't speak highly enough of our experience at The Canberra Hospital.
"I really want to thank them for the great job they did. It seems some of the only stories that get out [about public health] are about poor experience.
"I don't think I can thank them enough for what they did for us. They made a stressful time relatively stress free … our transition was relatively smooth and we have the nurses and everyone at Woden to thank."
Alexander juggled his time between Brumbies training and hospital visits as his daughters started to grow while under the 24-hour care of the NICU nurses.
Less than a week after Emma and Ivy were born, the Brumbies granted Alexander leave and rested him from the clash against the Otago Highlanders in New Zealand so he could be with his family.
They weighed just 1.35 kilograms and 1.5 kilograms when they were born and were smaller than the rugby ball that Alexander has been throwing around for almost 10 years. To put their size in perspective, Alexander is a 120-kilogram prop.
But Emma and Ivy were healthy despite their size and started to grow while in hospital.
Nurses gave the all clear for Alexander and Jen to take their daughters home at the start of June, and last week was the first time they were curled up in their bed while dad played Super Rugby.
"It's been an awesome experience so far. You learn about what life is really about and what it means, it's the happiest I've ever seen my wife," Alexander said.
"They were always healthy for their weight. As a new parent it's all a bit daunting at first, it's not nice to see them in there and you'd love to bring them home straight away.
"But knowing they were in the best care made it easy. To be honest, it couldn't have been a better experience. If we have more kids, we won't hesitate having them at The Canberra Hospital.
"The care we got and the way the nurses helped us and treated us, it was amazing.
"[Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham] has been great about it with some time off training and the Highlanders game.
"We spent a few late night visits there, and the nurses always welcomed us and kept us up to date. Now that they're home, after a big [training] session you come home and it really is the highlight of your day.
"You spend a few hours hanging out with them and just staring at them, like all new parents do
"It just gets your mind off rugby. I'm pretty good at dwelling or stewing on things after games. But the kids put things in perspective."
Emma and Ivy join a growing young family at Brumbies headquarters that already includes the children of Stephen Moore, Christian Lealiifano, Jordan Smiler, Josh Mann-Rea and Aidan Toua.
Alexander is poised to sign a new Brumbies deal in the coming days to stretch his career into a 10th season in Canberra on a one-year extension.
He's played 117 games for the Canberra club and will be a vital cog in the Brumbies' hopes of chasing a Super Rugby title over the next six weeks.
"That try Benny scored last weekend was a classic Benny A try around the paddock," said coach Stephen Larkham.
"He's been one of the guys that has really motivated the group. Everyone is affected differently by having a new family, and the twins are new. But this year he's shown some of his best form."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 16
Friday: Auckland Blues v ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, 5.30pm AEST. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2.
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Nigel Ah Wong, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. James Dargaville, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8 Michael Wells, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Tom Staniforth, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Andrew Smith, 23. Lausii Taliauli.
Blues team: 15. Melani Nanai, 14. Matt Duffie, 13. Male Sa'u/Matt Vaega, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Tevita Li, 10. Ihaia West, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Steven Luatua, 7. Kara Pryor, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Josh Bekhuis/Scott Scrafton, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2. James Parsons, 1. Sam Prattley. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Blake Gibson, Billy Guyton, Matt Vaega/Michael Little, Lolagi Visinia.
