James Roberts 'selfless' to leave 'begging' wife in labour for Broncos game

Brisbane Broncos player James Roberts was described as "selfless" by his team for leaving his pregnant wife after her waters had broken to play against the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Friday night.

In a Broncos TV piece on Thursday, the 23-year-old laughed as he described how wife Anna Jovanovic "begged" him to stay, but the pleading fell on deaf ears for the NRL star, who said he did not want to let his team down.

"I thought it was close, the water broke the day before [the game] but it dragged on a bit," the Kempsey-born sportsman said. "She was begging me to stay and not go, but I just wanted to come up and do a job for the boys."

James Roberts has been described as "selfless" for leaving "begging" partner Anna Jovanovic in labour for Brisbane Broncos game. Photo: Facebook

Roberts, one of the fastest players in the NRL, said coach Wayne Bennett also wanted him to start, and so avoided phonecalls from Jovanovic.

"I am sure Wayne did [want me to play] but he didn't want to say anything," Roberts laughed. "I think he was just avoiding calls from Anna."

However, Jovanovic took to the Today show's Facebook on Friday after Roberts' controversial intitial remarks were mad to say she was "upset" by the criticism her husband had received and that it was she who told him to go and play in the game.

Roberts with son Kirk. Jovanovic said she was "upset" by the criticism her husband received for playing in the game. Photo: Facebook

"I would like you to all know that it upsets me to see people talking about my husband in such a negative way. I told James to play that evening because I knew that our baby boy wouldn't arrive until after the game as I was not in 'early labour' at that point in time," she started out. 

"James is such a loving, caring and nurturing father who was by my side the whole way through the birth of our very first son and never left my side!

"While James was at the game, doing what he loves and does best, I was surrounded by my extended family from Sydney and mother-in-law while James was at the stadium."

"James is such a loving, caring and nurturing father who was by my side the whole way through the birth of our very first son and never left my side," Jovanovic wrote. Photo: Facebook/James Roberts

Some social media users criticised his decision to leave his pregnant wife and for making light of the situation on sports TV with one commenter on Twitter saying: "If my partner left me in labour to play football they would be not allowed back in the house."

"When a person shows you who they are, believe them the first," another Tweet read.

"Congratulations to your wife who did the hard yards," one wrote on the Broncos' Facebook page.

Ben Hunt and Roberts celebrate a try for the Brisbane Broncos against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium last Friday. Photo: Getty Images

While another added: "[I] was surprised to read that Bennett was avoiding calls from Anna .. Probably written in jest if it was the case."

Most comments were of "congratulations" to the pair and well wishes to their new baby boy.

The Broncos said baby Kirk Roberts [named after his younger brother who has degenerative condition muscular dystrophy] "luckily" took his time and did not arrive until Sunday morning at four o'clock, when the father was present. It was not so lucky though for his partner, who would have endured the lengthy, discomfort of childbirth.

"I am glad it is all over and it's pretty enjoyable going home to my little boy," Roberts said. 

While Jovanovic added: "James delivered our son with the assistance of the awesome team of midwives at the Gold Coast hospital! James is an extremely supportive, loyal, loving and kind hearted man who would never be so selfish or selfless to leave me by myself to give birth."

The player, who once described himself as having "more speed than Oxford Street", added he will be ready for Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with the Sharks in Sydney.

Fairfax Media has asked Anna Jovanovic for a comment, but she has yet to respond.