Emotional scenes as Jai Arrow leads South Sydney onto the field to get his 99th cap amid devastating MND battle
There was barely a dry eye in the stadium as Jai Arrow led South Sydney onto the pitch on Saturday for his official 99th match for the club.
Arrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) earlier this year, was named captain and wore the No.23 jersey for the Rabbitohs’ match against the Gold Coast Titans.
He was substituted immediately following a special rule approved by the NRL to allow Arrow to lead his team out for the next two games so he could reach his 100-game milestone.
Arrow was visibly overcome with emotion and he walked out through a guard of honour at the Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The crowd gave him a standing ovation as teammates and opponents hugged Arrow, while Gerry and the Pacemakers’ ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ blared through the speakers.
Arrow waved to the crowd, thumped the crest laden with history on his chest, and was proudly interchanged for lock Cameron Murray before taking his place on the bench.
There was barely a dry eye in the stadium as Jai Arrow led South Sydney onto the pitch on Saturday for his official 99th match for the club
He was substituted immediately following a special rule approved by the NRL to allow Arrow to lead his team out for the next two games so he could reach his 100-game milestone
The crowd gave him a standing ovation as teammates and opponents hugged Arrow, while Gerry and the Pacemakers’ ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ blared through the speakers
It was fitting that Murray scored the first try under the sticks with a rampage that Arrow has made so many times in his stellar career.
Before the match began, coach Wayne Bennett assisted Arrow to put on his socks and boots in a touching dressing room moment.
‘He was really nervous actually,’ Bennett said pre-match on Saturday.
‘Worst he has ever been. I am asking him why he is in that place but he kind of hasn’t answered the question, but he is very nervous.’
Bennett also said Arrow was the ‘first one on the bus’ ahead of kick-off.
‘I got on the bus and he is sitting right up the front, the first one on the bus,’ Bennett said.
‘I didn’t have the heart to tell him he was just running on, not staying on.’
Arrow will reach his 100-game milestone with the Rabbitohs next week.
Arrow thanked the crowd who turned out on the Gold Coast
Arrow is seen taking a look up at the posts
Arrow will lead his team out again next week so he can reach his 100-game milestone
Arrow sat on the bench for the duration of the game
The Titans wore a tribute jersey with Arrow’s image on the front for their dedicated ‘Stand with Jai’ round. Arrow, a Burleigh Bears junior from just down the road, played 56 NRL matches for the club.
South Sydney secured a 42-22 win over the Titans.
His emotional appearance comes after the league granted the Rabbitohs permission to carry an additional player and use nine interchanges instead of eight. Arrow will remain on the bench in his playing kit after leaving the field.
The Titans, Roosters and Rugby League Players Association have all supported the arrangement, which will take Arrow to 180 career appearances.
