IF making sacrifices is a spur for glory, then Wolves player-of-the-year Chris Hill could be more motivated than ever when he faces Samoa at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

For the 26-year-old was around for the first 18 days of daughter Niamh’s life before flying out to Australasia on tour duty for five weeks.

He did so with the blessing of his partner Kathryn, who will continue with preparations for their New Year’s Eve wedding while he is away.

“Niamh was only due on October 2 so if she had arrived any later there would have been a bit of doubt about me going,” said Hill, who also has sons Connor, aged five, and Oliver, aged 20 months.

“But she was born on September 26, a good few days early.

“My Mrs is outstanding with stuff like this. She knows it’s my job, my passion and she knows I’ve always wanted to go Down Under and play against Australia.

“She was never in any doubt and told me: ‘You’re going, I’ll sort the kids out.’"

It has been quite a year for Hill.

One that started with three weeks of pre-season training in Australia before an impressive campaign that led to him being on the Man of Steel shortlist.

Hill said: “It has been a busy year. I was planning on getting an extension on the side of the house while I’m away but the planning permission’s not gone through and I think my Mrs would have had a breakdown. That will have to wait until next year.”