Jai Arrow to play final two games of the season in NRL first

Jai Arrow will be named for the final two games of the season in order to break 100 club games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Arrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Diseases in May 2026 and received an outpouring of emotion and support from the NRL community and wider Australia.

He will be named in the Rabbitohs’ squad for their final two matches of the home and away season against the Gold Coast Titans and the Sydney Roosters.

South Sydney have received the all clear from the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association to use a free interchange.

Arrow will lead the Rabbitohs out onto the field in both matches before being replaced on the field. Arrow will then spend the rest of the match on the interchange bench in his playing kit.

In a club statement, South Sydney CEO Blake Solly praised the NRL and RLPA for their leniency in allowing Arrow to bring up 100 games for the Bunnies.

“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,” Souths chief executive Blake Solly said.

“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.”

SEN’s Andrew Voss echoed the statement from Solly and South Sydney and believes it will be another showcase of the NRL’s ability to unite.

“I have hairs on the back of my neck reading this,” Voss said on SEN 1170.

“It’s a huge story. It’s such a positive moment for rugby league.”

South Sydney travel to the Gold Coast in Round 26 to take on the Titans before returning to Allianz Stadium in Round 27 to play the Roosters.

The Rabbitohs will present Arrow with a commemorative 100 games jersey when he brings up the ton against the Roosters.