‘Spray me’: Why the Bunnies haven’t given Arrow sympathy
Cody Walker says close mate Jai Arrow hasn’t received sympathy from his Rabbitohs teammates following his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
That might sound strange on the surface after Arrow’s life was turned upside down this year, forced into medical retirement due to the life-altering disease.
Jai Arrow and Cody Walker take to the field together in round 26. Getty Images
But instead of feeling sorry for Arrow and treading carefully, Walker said the best thing South Sydney players can do is give him normality as he fights MND.
“It’s definitely tough, the visual and all that sort of stuff,” Walker told Nine’s Freddy and The Eighth ahead of Arrow’s 100th game for the club on Friday.
“Our group hasn’t given him the sympathy and I don’t think he needs that. He needs a bit of normality and when he walks into our dressing sheds, he gets sprayed like no tomorrow, the banter is still as relentless as it ever has been.
“I think he needs that. He can come in and we treat him normally.
“Wayne [Bennett] says it perfectly, he needs us but we need him around the group as much as we possibly can, because he offers so much inspiration to everyone.”
Walker and Arrow have been teammates for the past five years and have built an incredible bond – largely built on taking the piss out of each other – that proves how deep the relationships created in this beautiful sport can run.
So, when the 31-year-old needed a teammate to walk out alongside him last weekend against the Titans, it was Walker who made perfect sense.
While the noted hothead has made his fair share of mistakes on the field, rugby league fans saw a different side of Walker as he accompanied Arrow out onto Cbus Super Stadium for his 99th game in cardinal and myrtle.
Walker held on to Arrow’s arm at different stages, allowing the former State of Origin star to soak in the incredible moment and love from the crowd.
Tears were shed from those at the ground and watching at home, but Walker gave a special glimpse into the light-hearted part of the Arrow tribute.
“I can’t repeat exactly what I said to him, but I noticed before the game he was really nervous,” the Rabbitohs five-eighth said.
“I asked him how he was feeling, and he said ‘I’m nervous, I’ve never been nervous before a game in my life’. When he gets anxious, he sort of stiffens up a little bit.
“I told him if you feel like you’re gonna stiffen up, just hold me or grab me -- and he goes ‘I just need you to spray me, say whatever’ and I’m good at that, we’ve got that relationship, so I was behind him just giving it to him.
“He had a cackle, which was what he needed in that moment, someone to create a bit of normality and let him know that everything is all right.”
Cody Walker and Jai Arrow embrace on the field. Getty Images
Arrow will again lead the Bunnies out for their round 27 showdown against the Sydney Roosters, bringing up a milestone for the proud foundation club.
After being named at lock last weekend, with Cameron Murray on the bench, Arrow has instead been placed in an unfamiliar role for Friday night.
One of the toughest forwards of his generation, Arrow has been made the honorary five-eighth for Souths, which means Walker will watch on from the sidelines before replacing his great mate once the referee’s whistle blows.
Walker, obviously happy to oblige, did give one clear direction to Arrow though.
“He’s not allowed to pass the ball – one of the rules when he was my edge back-rower, he wasn’t allowed to pass or offload,” Walker laughed.
“It’s one of those things that he really deserves, he would have made the 100 games this year without the diagnosis.
“It was just incredible [last weekend], the amount of courage and strength he’s shown since his diagnosis has been really inspirational.
Jai Arrow applauds the Gold Coast fans in round 26. Getty Images
“They were beautiful scenes and I can’t wait to see what this week is like at Allianz.
“I don’t like giving him too many raps, but he’s a big inspiration to all of us.”
As part of the milestone 100th game for Souths, the club have released special edition T-shirts that are only available at the Heffron Park team store and at Allianz Stadium before Friday night’s clash between the two bitter rivals.
Plenty of fans flocked to the Maroubra base on Thursday in an attempt to snaffle up their piece of memorabilia, with proceeds going to Arrow and his family.
