‘A big thing’: Bennett reveals how ‘special’ Arrow plan was hatched
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has explained how Jai Arrow’s 99th and 100th games will happen, while paying tribute to the outpouring of support from the wider NRL community after the star’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
Arrow was forced to retire effective immediately earlier this season after revealing the MND diagnosis, which saw him finish on 98 games for South Sydney.
Jai Arrow will take the field on Saturday. Getty Images
The tough forward has been the heart and soul of Souths since arriving at the club in 2021, becoming one of the Bunnies’ most beloved players.
With a potential milestone in the red and green jersey ripped away from Arrow due to his retirement, Bennett and the club found a way to make it happen.
In the final two rounds, Arrow will run out alongside his teammates and will be on the field when the referee blows the whistle for kick off.
The 31-year-old will then leave the field and be replaced by Cameron Murray.
Speaking to media on Friday morning, Bennett explained why he pushed for the incredible gesture and why it was so important for Arrow.
“This is what it means to players, to be a 100-game player at a club is a big thing, it’s sometimes even bigger than 200 or 300,” the coach said.
“He was on 98 and thinking about it all, knowing what it would mean to him, he’s been a wonderful warrior and a guy made to play 100 games at a club. We wanted it to be authentic, we didn’t want it to just be ‘we’ll give you this’.
“We knew he couldn’t fulfil all the commitments of playing 80 minutes and all the other stuff, but through a bit of a process, we got to a place where we’re at now.
“When the referee blows the whistle in the NRL, that’s the start of the game. If you’re on the field at that time and you do your hamstring – that would still count as a game. They will blow the whistle and then he will leave the field.
“His replacement will come on and that’s not an interchange replacement, the league have been kind enough to make sure that didn’t happen.”
Bennett said the way NRL officials and fans from all clubs have rallied around Arrow in recent months proves how special the game can be.
“I wouldn’t like to take all the credit for it, he’s our player and that’s not something we’ve walked away from or will ever walk away from,” Bennett said.
“Rugby league people have been wonderful in how they’ve handled it and the support they’ve given us and him. That’s what makes the game so special to me.
“I’ve been in a lot of instances in the game with major injuries and stuff like that with players, and the fans have always reached out ... we’re very fortunate.”
Souths will face the Titans – one of Arrow’s former teams – on Saturday afternoon, before a round 27 showdown with arch rivals the Sydney Roosters.
