'We don't want to know': Jai Arrow and his fiancée open up in emotional interview after MND diagnosis

The fiancée of Jai Arrow fought back tears as she spoke publicly for the first time about the former NRL star's motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.

One question put to Berina Colakovic in the emotional interview on KIIS Sydney on Friday brought about a heartbreaking answer.

"What is the prognosis?" co-host Georgie Tunny asked Colakovic.

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Colakovic paused, and then replied: "We don't want to know."

The rugby league world was rocked on May 20 when Arrow and the Rabbitohs went public with the diagnosis.

Arrow is only 30 and MND has already started to affect his speech.

He and Colakovic, who is Canadian, got engaged in Italy in 2024 and have since welcomed into the world their daughter Ayla Rae.

Colakovic, who was interviewed by KIIS Sydney alongside Arrow, admitted she was "in a bit of denial" as symptoms began to arise.

"It kind of spiralled into him losing a bit of his voice and that being very visible," Colakovic said.

"He's 30. We have a little one at home, she's just turned one, so for me it was very, very hard.

"I would love Ayla to have a brother or sister, but even with stuff like that, those are big discussions, given the disease and lifespan of the disease and stuff.

"Those are probably big personal milestones, but to be honest I'm happy to go wherever he wants to go.''

Arrow has a clear mission in mind.

"For me, it's to be around for my daughter and Berina for as long as I can," the former Queensland State of Origin forward said.

"She knows that I'll do that.

"I'll fight and I'll beat it. I will.''

Arrow said a "twitching" shoulder and "a lot of weakness" were among the early symptoms.

"I noticed a lot of things leading up to that that was a major sign for me," he said.

"Playing [footy] I felt weak, I felt not myself, and then when I noticed my speech started to go, I thought, 'Bloody hell, what is going on here?'"

Arrow said he'd received incredible support from both the rugby league community and the whole of Australia.

"It has been surreal," he said.

"From the bottom of my heart I am truly, truly grateful.''

The diagnosis forced him into premature retirement after 178 NRL games with the Broncos, Titans and Rabbitohs, as well as 12 appearances for the Maroons.

Queensland coach Billy Slater welcomed him into the Maroons camp ahead of game one.

Arrow joined the squad for dinner on Monday night and was part of the inner sanctum at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.

"Jai is one of those guys that loves being around his mates, his teammates, a footy environment. He's the life of the party, and that was no different [on Monday night]," Slater said.

"To see Jai laughing and joking with his teammates, it was a really cool environment to be in.

"We just thought that it was really important that we bring Jai in for Jai.

"The other thing was it was a great opportunity to celebrate Jai's career.

"We all know the journey that he's embarking on, and it's going to be a really tough one. We're all there for him as Queenslanders, as members of the rugby league community.

"But at the end of the day, he's also retiring from rugby league, and we can't forget that. So us as Queenslanders, we certainly acknowledged our player 196 [on Monday night] and celebrated what he brought in the Maroons jersey, so that was a pretty cool time as well."

Legendary VFL/AFL figure Neale Daniher died this week after a courageous and inspirational fight against MND that spanned 13 years. He was 65.