Arrow to reach 100 Rabbitohs games after MND diagnosis

Jai Arrow, the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league player diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), will be permitted to play the first minutes of two upcoming matches to reach the 100-game milestone for his club. The Australian National Rugby League has granted a special exception to its standard rules to enable Arrow's participation in the Rabbitohs' last two regular-season games.

At 31 years old, Arrow announced his retirement in May following his MND diagnosis. He will make his return to the field in full uniform as the first interchange, then exit the pitch to join the bench. The NRL has approved this one-off rule change, allowing the Rabbitohs to have an additional player on team lists and interchanges.

Arrow played 178 NRL games for the Brisbane Broncos, Titans, and Rabbitohs throughout a decade-long career, along with 12 State of Origin appearances for Queensland. His debut for the Rabbitohs came in 2021, with 98 appearances for the club before his retirement. Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly expressed gratitude for the support received in accommodating Arrow's request, stating that his fight against MND will inspire everyone watching the games and those connected to rugby league and society.

MND affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and stiffness, impacting how individuals walk, talk, eat, and breathe. The exact cause of MND is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle elements. Other notable MND victims include former Queensland player Carl Webb, who died at 42 in 2023, and former England rugby union international Lewis Moody, diagnosed in September 2025.