How ‘emotional’ Rabbitohs players learned of ‘beautiful’ Arrow act
The NRL has approved special rule changes to allow Jai Arrow to play two more games for South Sydney in order to reach a club milestone.
Arrow will be named in Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs squad for rounds 26 and 27, and will run out with the team for kick off, before being interchanged and spend the remainder of the game on the team bench.
Jai Arrow watches on for his birthday game. Getty Images
The NRL is allowing South Sydney to name one extra player in its squad, and have one extra interchange in order to get Arrow to 100 games for the Bunnies.
He will become the 67th player to reach the milestone with the club.
Arrow, 31, was forced to medically retire earlier this year after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
South Sydney put the proposal to the NRL and the players’ association and it was green lit.
“We are very grateful to Peter (V’landys) and the NRL, and Clint (Newton) at the RLPA, for supporting our proposal, as well as for receiving the support for this from our opposition clubs in the Titans and Roosters, for Jai’s participation in these two games,” chief executive Blake Solly said in a statement.
“We believe this will provide great inspiration for everyone watching the game from the stadium or at home, showing that MND will not hold Jai, or anyone else, back from achieving what they want to achieve in life.
“This initiative will also help to raise awareness and funds for Jai and his fight with MND and afford him the honour of playing 100 first grade games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, something only a select few players have achieved in their careers, and give him due recognition for the efforts he has made for South Sydney and the sport over the past decade.
“For Jai to be able to add these games to his tally against his former club, and at a game which we believe will be close to, if not sold out at Allianz Stadium, will be a fitting tribute to a player that has given his all to the Rabbitohs, Titans, Broncos and Queensland throughout his playing career.
“His fight against MND has already been inspirational, and we can’t wait to welcome Jai back onto the field for two more games to inspire everyone connected with Rugby League and in society in general.”
Some of Arrow’s teammates fronted media on Tuesday after the incredible gesture was made public and believe it will be a “special” way to honour him.
“We found out this morning in our team review – obviously it was a bit emotional, I wasn’t expecting it and I don’t think the team was expecting it,” Matt Dufty said.
“Wayne has been working hard the last few weeks and I think it will be truly special. I didn’t know about it, but when I heard about it, I thought it was such a wonderful thing to do. He deserves it, he’s a great guy and I’m so happy for him.
“When something like this happens, it’s great to see the game and people rally. We all play a tough sport and we all mean so much to many people, but it’s so special to see what players mean to other players when things are tough.
“Jai is such a character and he brings so much energy around and he makes everyone happy and brings a smile to everyone’s face. Whatever we can do to give back to him, even if it’s a little bit, it’s what we need to do and we’re all behind him. He’s got our full support and whatever he needs, we’ll give it to him.”
Jai Arrow with close mates Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker. Getty Images
Long-time teammate and close friend Cody Walker described it as a “beautiful” way to give Arrow the send-off that was taken away due to the diagnosis.
“It’s been in the works for a little while now and I’m very happy that we can honour him and give him those two games that he thoroughly deserves,” Walker said.
“He’s a big part of our club, big part of our team and he’s a big part of my life since he’s come to the club. It’s a beautiful way to send him off.
“You can see it in the way that he still gets around the group, he hasn’t changed his banter or anything like that -- he’s still one of the loudest in the squad. You can see that he’s beaming inside and that it means a hell of a lot to him.
“To be able to go out there, where he grew up against his old club, to get him out on the field will be a beautiful scene and it will also be an emotional one.”
Souths will face Arrow’s former club the Titans this Saturday, and then arch rivals the Sydney Roosters the following Friday night.
They sit seventh on the NRL ladder, are fighting to play finals, and likely have to win at least one of their two remaining games to qualify for the playoffs.
