Arrow farewelled following outpouring of emotion

The Rugby League world has celebrated the career of Jai Arrow with an outpouring of emotion as the forward played his 100th and last game for South Sydney.

The Queensland prop was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in May, which forced his medical retirement from the NRL.

Following his diagnosis, the NRL has wrapped their arms around the 31-year-old through several initiatives to raise funds for MND research.

That has included having the ‘World’s Biggest Birthday Party’ for Arrow, which saw fans celebrate the day at Accor Stadium during the Bunnies’ clash against the Knights alongside ‘Jai July ’, seeing donations from tries scored during the month.

But for the last two games of the season, with approval from the NRL, RLPA and their opponents in Gold Coast and archrivals Sydney, Arrow has been named in the starting side, seeing him walk onto the field with the team for the opening kick-off before heading to the interchange, helping him to crack triple digits for appearance in cardinal and myrtle.

In their last game of the home-and-away season against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium, the forward led the side out one final time with You’ll Never Walk Alone playing, which proved to be a stirring moment for fans.

With plenty of motivation in the belly, South Sydney dominated the clash against an undermanned Sydney, claiming a 50-20 win and sitting in 6th spot on the ladder.

The Rabbitohs are set to play in an elimination final, with their opponent yet to be confirmed.